Eboni Usoro-Brown has today announced that she will be retiring from playing netball at both an elite domestic and international level after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
One of the most decorated England internationals, Usoro-Brown made her senior international debut against Malawi in 2008 and has recorded 116 caps to date.
She has played an integral role in England winning medals at two Commonwealth Games (2010; 2018) and three Netball World Cups (2011, 2015 and 2019) – most notably, securing gold at the Gold Coast in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
After giving birth to her daughter Savannah in August 2020, Usoro-Brown worked her way back into the international fold, achieving her goal of competing at a fourth Commonwealth Games.
As she now makes her final appearance in the red dress at Birmingham 2022, she’ll be looking to add to her medal collection (1 x CWG gold, 1 x CWG bronze and 3 x NWC bronzes) in the bronze medal match against New Zealand (13:30 on Sunday 7 August).
On the domestic scene, Usoro-Brown spent two stints at Team Bath, winning four Vitality Netball Superleague titles (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010) and then captaining the Blue and Gold for six seasons (2016-2021).
She has also plied her trade overseas, enjoying spells with West Coast Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds and most recently, Queensland Firebirds.
In recognition of her achievements and legacy on and beyond the court, she was inducted into the England Netball Hall of Fame in December 2020.
Discussing her decision, Usoro-Brown said: “It’s been one of my greatest honours to represent England Netball in a career that has spanned over 17 years.
“As a young girl it was my dream to play for England, and I proudly stand here today having amassed 116 caps, having represented the Roses in 7 major tournaments highlighted by being part of the team that created history by winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the honour of being inducted into England Netball’s Hall of Fame.
“To be a Rose is an immense privilege that I have never taken for granted. Each time that I have appeared in the red dress, I have never wanted it to be my last.
“After giving birth to Savannah in 2020, one of my goals was to make the Commonwealth Games team. It has been incredibly special over the last ten days to have my daughter sit in the crowd watching her mum continue to achieve her dreams on the world stage.
“However, it is also for this reason, on my own terms, that I have decided to retire to afford myself more time to fully focus on my young family and legal career.
“My hope is that my journey will inspire future Roses, girls and women to know that with steely determination, a support network and an unwavering belief in your own ability, absolutely anything is possible, even successful dual careers whilst being a mum.
“I’d like to thank England Netball, the England coaches and support staff that I have been fortunate to work with and the Roses squads past and present whom I have had the pleasure to play with, for believing, trusting and supporting me over the years. You’ve all become a part of my extended family and I’m grateful for the memories that will last a lifetime.
“I would also like to thank the fans who have supported me over the last 17 years. I have been extremely humbled by all of your support and well wishes that I have received.”
Usoro-Brown and the rest of the Team England squad will face New Zealand in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medal match at 13:30 on Sunday 7 August. You can watch all the action live on BBC iPlayer.
You can follow Eboni on Twitter and Instagram.
