As one of our great kiwi sports icons, Irene requires no introduction… but we’re giving her one anyway!

Since retiring from international Netball, Irene has taken up the position of Junior Netball Development Officer where she presents workshops around the lower North Island.

Utilising her passions for Netball and teaching, Irene is helping to grow the game in the junior space by coaching the coaches and encouraging younger kids to get the most out of their sport.

In this weeks #FridayProfile, we get to know a little bit more about our favorite Netball star

Who is your greatest inspiration?

It was my Mum and princess Diana, and now it is Bianca my daughter

What is your favourite food?

Any roast - chicken beef or lamb with roast vegies, aaaaarrrgggghhhh yummy, dribbling here

What's the most embarrassing thing you have done?

First ever test for South Africa, falling over when they called me (GS) to make her grand entrance infront of 6000 people, my foot got hooked on the side of the court and face planted. Hahahaha

Who would you choose to play you in a movie?

Cameron Diaz - she is just wayyyyy hotter than me

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally and how did you overcome it?

Retiring from international Netball because it has been part of my life for so long that you forget what life would be like without training 2 times a day and actually doing a job from 9 - 5. I luckily had something to fall back onto (teaching) and have scored the most amazing job that I am in currently, if you have a reason to get out of bed every day, it is a good day! Making a change in peoples lives, that is what I love doing, the smallest thing to you might be monumentous to them.