We said goodbye to Geva Mentor, Gabby Marshall and Jodie Gibson this year as they retired from playing, at the end of three stellar careers that have seen them each leave their mark on the netball world in their own unique way.
Geva, who is now 40, a CBE and based in France, has been a real trailblazer, with over 300 games under her belt and two World’s Best Netballer awards in the trophy cabinet.
She played in New Zealand and Australia for 16 years, where she was named in the All-Star team three times and became the first overseas athlete to make 100 appearances, winning the ANZ Championship and two Suncorp Super Netball titles. For England, she played 175 times over an incredible 21 years, competing at six World Cups and six Commonwealth Games, famously winning gold in 2018.
She said: “To my teammates, coaches, supporters, sponsors, franchises, leagues and sport, THANK YOU for challenging me, believing in me and allowing me to stay true to myself.
“May this sport, that has been renowned to be poor in finance, yet rich in community, continue to evolve and bring joy to all those involved through the passion and dedication of the good people.
“I’m so ready and extremely excited to be retiring; the time is very right. I know not all athletes necessarily have the opportunity to choose when, so I am super grateful to my family and NIC Leeds Rhinos in allowing me to conclude this huge chapter of my life on my terms.
“I can certainly say I’ve grown through this sport, I’ve found my identity, I’ve strengthened my values, and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way.
England Netball CEO Fran Connolly paid tribute to Mentor’s incredible career, saying: “Her extraordinary career over more than two decades has inspired generations and on behalf of the entire Netball Family, I’d like to thank Geva for her unwavering dedication, her leadership and the legacy she leaves behind.
“She was such an incredible force for the Vitality Roses, and we were so fortunate to have her return to the NSL for her final couple of domestic seasons. We wish her all the very best for this next chapter.”
Up close with Geva
FIRST NETBALL MEMORY?
I'm thinking right back to Bournemouth Pinks and I just remember being thrown a goal defence bib. They were actually like, “No, no, no – you're running around like a headless chicken and you're really tall. Get back there!” I put the goal keeper bib on and it all began from there.
FIRST ENGLAND MEMORY?
Fitness testing! I hated it! It made me so nervous and I dreaded doing the bleep test. Embarrassingly I fainted halfway through my first one!
GREATEST NETBALL MEMORY?
Ah, I can't look past 2018 and winning that gold medal on Australian soil against the Aussies! Personally it was one of my best games. I got MVP [Most Valuable Player], but I think as a team to be able to create history and the impact that it had, not just in England but the ripples across the netball world, that was just phenomenal.
PROUDEST MOMENT?
Going up to Buckingham Palace and receiving my CBE off Prince William. Taking my godmother, auntie and mum up with me. It was really special.
Netball is all about the team, whereas this was a really personal accolade. Sometimes they are quite hard to receive but it was really nice. I know my granddad, who's not with us any more, would be very proud of me.
FAVOURITE TEAMMATE
There’s been many wonderful characters over my playing career but a longstanding one who’s been with me all the way through is Sonia Mkoloma. She's been a dear friend throughout everything and I think that's really special.
Gabby Marshall had to make the difficult decision to retire from elite netball during the 2025 season following medical advice after head injuries sustained this year.
She enjoyed an exceptional 13-year NSL career displaying passion, dedication and inspiring leadership with Manchester Thunder, London Mavericks, Severn Stars and Birmingham Panthers, where she was named captain as the new team entered this year’s competition.
29-year-old Gabby said: “Although I’m devastated my time on court was cut short, I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to represent this club. A huge thank you to my teammates for riding the wave with me and to the staff for all your help and support whilst I recover. I also want to thank Panthers fans and the wider netball community for all the well-wishes for my recovery, I really appreciate it.”
A fan favourite, Gabby made her NSL debut in 2013 for Manchester Thunder before moving to London where she spent five years with Mavericks before a move to Severn Stars in 2023 which saw her lead her side to a historic first-ever top four finish in 2024.
She picked up eight Vitality Roses caps, making her debut against Northern Ireland in 2017 and helping secure a series win against Uganda in 2018, before traveling to New Zealand to represent England in 2020. She was also part of the England World Youth Cup squad who won a bronze medal in Botswana in 2017 and won the 2017 FAST5 Netball World Series in Melbourne as part of only the second England team to have ever won the tournament.
Bringing unrelenting passion and inspiring leadership on court, and an infectiously positive personality off it, Marshall certainly made her mark on our sport throughout her incredible career.
The 2025 Grand Final was the final match of Jodie Gibson’s wonderful career. She served four Super League teams with distinction, winning the title with Manchester Thunder in 2012 and 2014, as well as coming away with that historic Commonwealth gold in 2018. In that 2014 Super League final, it was pressure from Jodie with the score at 48-48 and 25 seconds on the clock, that saw Surrey Storm lose possession and provide Helen Housby the chance to net a very late winner.
Lightning’s fifth successive final did not end in victory but Jodie was quick to focus on the difference between the sport when she started and finished her career.
“For me this still feels like a fairytale,” she said. “I am in a final, at The O2 Arena, playing in front of a record-breaking crowd – to be here is a dream come true. It feels like a real privilege that I can say I ended my career this way.
“When I first stepped on a court for Northern Thunder in 2009, we were in Bury Leisure Centre where I used to do my school swimming lessons. There were maybe 5-600 people there. Sixteen years later, I have just finished my career at Tthe O2 Arena – I was here watching Usher recently and now I am playing on the court in front of all of those people.
“It feels like an amazing occasion, and I am just really proud that I am here. It has been one hell of a ride. There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the League, we felt it this year, but we really felt it today. Today was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this League. I look forward to seeing what’s next.
“In my whole career, this year has been when I’ve been happiest. I set that as an objective, and I genuinely believe I can walk away with so many fond memories. I will cherish the friendships that I have made, the communities that I am now a part of.”