Super Netball: Former Collingwood captain Madi Browne ends short-lived retirement to join English club Leeds
Madi Browne, who announced in September she was quitting netball, will return to the sport to play in England for Leeds.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Diamonds star Madi Browne’s retirement has lasted only two months, with the ex-Collingwood captain signing a two-year deal with English club Leeds.
Mid-courter Browne announced in early September that her career was over after re-injuring her right knee while playing for Collingwood in the Super Netball competition.
“Season 2020 was always set to be my last and I have cherished every minute I have been able to be out there on court,” Browne said in a statement released by Collingwood.
“It is sad to miss out on the best, which is competing at the elite level, but in making this decision I am looking to avoid the worst and take control of my life beyond netball.”
But 32-year-old Browne has changed her mind to “embrace” the “challenge” of playing abroad.
Here's a message from our new signing Madi Browne talking about how much she is looking forward to representing the club and playing in the @NetballSL!
— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) November 3, 2020
👉 https://t.co/1j32uifNOY#GoTheRhinos! 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/SqwL3RI3jU
“I am absolutely delighted to be coming to the UK to play for Leeds Rhinos,” Browne told the club’s website.
“It was a dream to play netball abroad and thanks to Leeds this dream gets to become reality.
“I’m ready to step outside my comfort zone of playing in Australia and inject my 15 years of elite netball knowledge into UK netball.
“The set-up at Leeds is really impressive and with (coach) Dan Ryan in charge, I’m not surprised with the stellar list of players he’s already recruited.
“I couldn’t help but be drawn into the shared vision emerging in Leeds, and the opportunity to assist in building a program from the ground up is an honour I don’t take lightly.
“I love a challenge and am looking forward to embracing and growing with them as well as helping my team navigate through whatever comes our way.
“Leeds already has a rich sporting culture and it’s exciting to make history being one of the inaugural players putting the Rhinos on the map for netball in the UK.
“I look forward to developing new connections and relationships in another country and the chance to call it home. I can’t wait to move over and get started.”
ð”¼ð•§ð•–ð•£ð•ªð•“ð• ð••ð•ªâ€™ð•¤ ð•¥ð•’ð•ð•œð•šð•Ÿð•˜ ð•’ð•“ð• ð•¦ð•¥ ð•„ð•’ð••ð•š!
— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) November 3, 2020
The news that @madibrowne__ is joining #RhinosNetball has certainly got people’s attention and even @EnglandRugby head coach Eddie Jones said he is excited that one of Australia’s greats will be playing in the @NetballSL! pic.twitter.com/LFjFymYTHm
Browne made 61 appearances for the Diamonds, retiring from international netball in July 2018.
She will move to the UK in January, with the English Superleague season starting in February.
Leeds coach Ryan said: “Madi is one of the most skilful, creative and admired players in our sport, and we are so proud and humbled to have her as part of the inaugural Leeds Rhinos team.
“She’s so well respected worldwide not only for her incredible on court talents and long list of achievements, but the resilience and determination she has shown to defy the odds throughout her career.
“She is a legend of the sport and our athletes are so fortunate to have the opportunity to play and train alongside an athlete and person of her class and calibre.”
Originally published as Super Netball: Former Collingwood captain Madi Browne ends short-lived retirement to join English club Leeds