England Captain Steps Down

Olivia Murphy, England Netball captain since 2000, announced on Thursday (5th October) that she is stepping down from the England Captaincy and National Squad. Murphy, 29, was first capped by England at a senior level in 1997, and has won bronze medals at the World championships in 1999, and the Commonwealth Games in both 1998 and 2006. Her international career, during which she was awarded 95 caps, has included test series against all of the worldís leading netball nations, and she was also part of the World Youth Championships team which won bronze for England in Canada in 1996.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all my time with the England squad, most recently winning bronze at the Melbourne Commonwealth games, explains Murphy, but now believe it is time for someone else to step into the captainís role and take the squad on to the next challenge. During the summer rest period, I have considered my role in the England squad closely: unfortunately, career demands and the physical stresses of international netball mean that I do not believe I can commit fully to the programme leading up to next yearís World Championships, and so I have taken the hard decision to resign my position as captain, and as a squad member.

I would like to wish Marg Caldow and the squad all the very best for the future - we have a hugely talented group of athletes coming through the system, and I know that England will continue to improve and prosper on the international stage in years to come.

England head coach Margaret Caldow commented: "It is never easy to decide when to step down from international competition particularly when you have enjoyed such an outstanding career as Olivia. We will miss her leadership and experience as a world class centre court player. I respect her reasons for this decision as she has struggled to overcome injuries during the past two seasons. Olivia has been a great ambassador and role model for netballers, not only in this country but internationally. We wish her all the very best.

Murphy will continue to play for Loughborough Lightning in the Netball Superleague. We await news from England Netball on who will replace her as Captain.