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Irene is the former captain of the South African Netball team and after a visit to Wellington with her husband, they chose to make New Zealand their home in 2000. She joined the Wellington Capital Shakers netball team the same year and quickly became a favorite with kiwi crowds.
She has a lively personality but is very composed on court - she’s very passionate about her netball and likes to win and she’s gained the respect of her fellow players both on and off the court. She joined BOP Magic in 2003 and recently became the world’s most capped netballer.
Irene was on the podium with the successful Silver Ferns squad receiving their Gold medals at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games (a wonderful moment having settled for Silver at Manchester against archrivals Australia) proving that they are indeed worthy of their World Champion title.
Irene was named Sportswoman of the Year in the 2004 Halberg Awards and voted People’s Choice for sportswoman of the Year in 2005. She’s written two books – one surrounding the issues of her joining the Silver Ferns squad in 2000 entitled “Changing Colours” and the other “Shooting for the Top – the Irene Van Dyk Story”.
Irene now works part time as a teacher and travels the country speaking to a wide cross-section of audiences. She’s also involved in charity work and is the ambassador to Cool Kids Grow and one of her more memorable moments was becoming a New Zealand citizen in 2005 with her husband and daughter. In the 2009 Queen's Birthday honours Irene was awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to netball.
You’ll be inspired by Irene’s passion and dedication to achieving a balanced life and how she stays on top of her game.
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