Former West Coast Fever champion and Australian Diamond Caitlin Bassett, 33, has announced her retirement from netball, culminating an illustrious career that commenced in Western Australia.
As a product of the WA netball talent pathway playing for Southside Demons Netball Club, Bassett was selected for her first WA State Team as a 14-year-old and went on to make her Perth Orioles debut at 16 years of age in 2005.
After 12 years playing netball in Western Australia and notching-up more than 100 consecutive games for West Coast Fever, including winning the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2015, she departed for the Sunshine Coast Lightning at the end of the following season.
Bassett went on to captain Australia, and her international career highlights include two Netball World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015 and a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
She is just the fifth Diamond to have played over 100 tests in the green and gold and has scored 2863 goals for the nation at 90 per cent accuracy.
“Netball has been such a huge part of my life and I still pinch myself looking back at the incredible experiences I've had both on and off the court,” Bassett said.
“While it isn't the fairy tale ending I wanted and I am disappointed, the support I have received over the last 18 months, in particular, has been amazing.
“This sport has given me so much and I still plan on being involved. I want to give back and help others navigate the challenges I have overcome and continue to grow the game.”
West Coast Fever General Manager – Performance & Pathway Sue Gaudion paid tribute to Bassett on an amazing netball career.
“Your contribution to our club, West Australian, and Australian netball has been monumental,” she said.
“You will go down in history as a West Coast Fever great and forever remain a key part of our club’s history.”
Origin Australian Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich, who also coached Bassett at West Coast Fever, said she is a champion of the game.
“Throughout Caitlin’s incredible career, she has inspired many young Australians both on and off the court and she is as a champion of our game,” Marinkovich said.
“Caitlin’s accuracy under extreme pressure, her ability to position under the most physical pressure and her passion for the game made her a major asset to the Diamonds and a threat to all opposition teams.”
