Maria Folau is a household name in the netball world. She has made a name for herself with her exceptional skills on the court and has become a role model for aspiring netball players worldwide. In this article, we will take a closer look at her life, achievements, and her impact on the game of netball.
Early Life and Career
Maria Folau was born on February 18, 1987, in Tonga. Her family migrated to New Zealand when she was young, and it was there that she discovered her love for netball. Folau started playing netball at the age of 11 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually making her debut for the Silver Ferns in 2005. Folau is a versatile player, able to play in multiple positions on the court. She has played both as a shooter and a defender, making her a valuable asset to any team. Her height, standing at 188cm, also gives her an advantage on the court.
Achievements
Folau has had an illustrious career, with numerous achievements to her name. Here are some of her most notable accomplishments:
International Achievements
| Tournament | Year | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Games | 2006 | New Zealand | Gold |
| World Netball Championships | 2007 | New Zealand | Silver |
| Commonwealth Games | 2010 | New Zealand | Silver |
| World Netball Championships | 2011 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Commonwealth Games | 2014 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Netball World Cup | 2015 | New Zealand | Runners-up |
| Fast5 Netball World Series | 2016 | New Zealand | Gold |
| Quad Series | 2017 | New Zealand | Winners |
| Commonwealth Games | 2018 | New Zealand | Silver |
Domestic Achievements
| Tournament | Year | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANZ Championship | 2008 | Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic | Winners |
| ANZ Championship | 2012 | Northern Mystics | Runners-up |
| ANZ Championship | 2013 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Runners-up |
| ANZ Championship | 2014 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Winners |
Individual Achievements
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| ANZ Championship Player of the Year | 2014 |
| ANZ Championship All-Star Team | 2014 |
| Netball New Zealand Player of the Year | 2015 |
| Netball New Zealand People’s Choice Award | 2017 |
| Fast5 Netball World Series Most Valuable Player | 2018 |
Folau has also achieved the remarkable feat of scoring over 5,000 goals in her career. Her consistency and accuracy on the court have made her one of the most feared shooters in the game.
Impact on the Game
Folau’s impact on the game of netball extends beyond her individual achievements. She has been an inspiration to countless netball players around the world, particularly those from the Pacific Islands. Her success has helped to raise the profile of netball in these regions and has encouraged more young people to take up the sport. Folau has also been an advocate for diversity in netball. In 2019, she made headlines when she spoke out against Netball New Zealand’s decision to force players to wear skirts instead of shorts during the ANZ Premiership. Folau argued that the policy was discriminatory and did not take into account the cultural and religious beliefs of some players. Her stance sparked a national conversation about the issue, and Netball New Zealand eventually changed their policy to allow players to wear shorts.
Folau has also been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, she publicly declared her support for same-sex marriage, despite the fact that her husband, Israel Folau, had made controversial comments about the issue. Her willingness to stand up for what she believes in, even in the face of criticism, has made her a respected figure both on and off the court.
Retirement and Future Plans
In 2019, at the age of 32, Folau announced her retirement from international netball. She cited the desire to spend more time with her family as the main reason for her decision. However, she continued to play domestic netball in the ANZ Premiership, signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2020 season. In May 2020, Folau announced that she would be taking a break from netball to focus on her family and personal life. She has not played competitively since then, but she has continued to be involved in the sport in other ways. In September 2020, she was appointed as an assistant coach for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Legacy
Maria Folau’s legacy in the netball world is one of excellence and inspiration. Her numerous achievements on the court have made her a role model for young netball players around the world. Her impact on the game extends beyond her individual success, as she has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in netball. Folau’s retirement from international netball marks the end of an era, but her influence on the sport will continue to be felt for years to come. As she transitions into the next phase of her life, it is clear that she will continue to be a positive force both in the netball world and beyond.
Conclusion
Maria Folau is one of the most iconic netball players of all time. Her achievements on the court are numerous, and her impact on the game extends far beyond her individual success. As she begins a new chapter in her life, we can look back on her career with admiration and respect for all that she has accomplished. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors, and we know that she will continue to be a positive force in whatever she chooses to do next.