Jade Clarke

Biography

Jade Clarke is England’s most-capped player and the most-capped player for a single country. 

The Vitality Rose is only the second player in world netball to reach the impressive milestone of 200 caps after Irene van Dyk, who made 145 appearances for New Zealand and 72 for South Africa over her career.

Clarke’s netball journey began around 30 years ago at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Manchester where they didn’t actually have a netball team so she admits to “nagging my mum to start one so she could come in and coach us.” 

From there, she got involved in club netball and Oldham proved to be the spot where Clarke would acquire her steely determination and discipline that she exudes on court. 

I had an inspirational coach in the form of Mike Greenwood, who created Oldham Netball Club. He was ex-Army so he just gave us amazing discipline. He just knew how to get the best out of you and how you could play at the very top level. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without Mike Greenwood.

It was in February 2003 when she made her international debut, taking to court at the AO Arena in her home city of Manchester against New Zealand. Since then, she has helped win three medals at the Netball World Cup and four at the Commonwealth Games, including a historic gold against Australia in 2018. 

Her influence and impact on the game was recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list as she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to netball. 

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