McMeniman to go out on a high

FORMER Warwick West State School student Clare McMeniman is comfortable with her decision to retire from netball at the age of 26.

Clare McMeniman in her Queensland Firebirds days. . Picture: SMP Images

FORMER Warwick West State School student Clare McMeniman is comfortable with her decision to retire from netball at the age of 26.

“I have achieved what I wanted to, it was absolutely amazing to win the ANZ Championships with the Firebirds this season,” McMeniman said.

The speech pathologist now wants to achieve other things in life but plans to keep fit with boxing and ballet and watch a few Firebirds games next season.

“The Firebirds players are all close friends,” she said.

Her netball journey started at Warwick West State School when she played on Friday afternoons in a primary school competition. McMeniman played the next two seasons with the Warwick Netball Association and made her first Queensland team at primary school level.

She said, like most children, her success would not have been possible without the support of her parents, Geoff and Anne-Maree McMeniman.

“My parents said as long as we tried our hardest, that was all they wanted,” McMeniman said.

“They were never forceful and let me do my own thing.

“Dad and mum were always at my games when they could get there.”

Geoff, a Warwick solicitor, died in 2009, but her mother continued to support Clare courtside in her final seasons in the sport.

McMeniman was goal attack at primary school but has no regrets she moved to the defensive end of the court. She played mostly at goal defence or wing defence.

With an ANZ Championship victory, a World Youth Cup bronze medal and series win against the Kiwis with Australia at under-20 level and Australian Diamonds squad selection, McMeniman is happy to go out on a high.

Originally published as McMeniman to go out on a high