Netball Super League 2024: Former England defender Geva Mentor discusses return

When veteran defender Geva Mentor decided to call time on her England career last year, she had cemented her status as a great of the sport.

Nobody would have thought any less of the 39-year-old if she decided to hang up her netball dress all together.

But instead, after 15 years playing in Australia's domestic league, Mentor is back in her home country to play for Leeds Rhinos - a decision she said was "an easy one to make".

"For me it was important that once I retired from international netball I didn't just go teetotal and stop completely. I really wanted that transition out," Mentor, who will take on the Rhinos captaincy, told BBC Sport.

"I've spent the last 23-24 years in and around netball, I think it's important from a wellbeing perspective to make sure that transition was smooth and the Super League was first choice."

• All you need to know about the 2024 Super League season

The goalkeeper has been a key part of England's growth in the sport, earning 175 caps over her 22-year international career.

She was part of the team that won a historic Commonwealth gold medal on the Gold Coast in 2018 and made more history by reaching a first World Cup final in Cape Town in 2023, although England ultimately fell short against 12-time world champions Australia.

A pioneer in domestic netball, Mentor became one of the first English players to move from the Netball Super League (NSL), where she played for Team Bath, to Australia's professional Super Netball league - then the ANZ Championship - in 2008.

She went on to make more than 200 appearances in the league, winning titles with Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Mentor thought she would see out her career in Australia but when the team she captained, the Collingwood Magpies, withdrew from the league because of financial issues, her path took a different turn.

That, and the fact her partner lives in France, where she will eventually relocate.

"I thought that's [Australia] probably where I'd end up spending the rest of my netball days and then retirement, but love has brought me back to the northern hemisphere," she said.

"I could've probably hung around and maybe been able to pick up a contract out there. Who knows. But the time was just right to be able to have full control and take the ball in my hands."

Mentor was part of the England team that won a maiden Commonwealth gold in 2018

'I'd love to stick around as long as possible'

Originally from Bournemouth, Mentor says she is enjoying living in "vibrant" Leeds and reconnecting with "familiar faces".

"I spoke to a few different coaches, but I tell you what, five minutes with Liana [Leota, Leeds Rhinos head coach], I was sold straight away," said Mentor.

"I just loved everything that she was about, what she wanted to do with this team, where she wanted to take it, the legacy that she wants to leave behind."

But, unlike the Australian league, the NSL is currently semi-professional and most of its players have other jobs or study at university.

England Netball has revealed plans for the league to become professional in 2025 and, as one of the nation's biggest netball success stories, Mentor wants to be part of that journey in any way she can.

"I've put my hand up, as soon as it gets down to the structures and the day-to-day that really impacts the people then hopefully people will call on me," she said.

"It's important that we look at every aspect of the game."

Mentor was part of the Team Bath side that won the inaugural Super League in 2006 and she last played in the division for Surrey Storm in 2010.

She recalls "little rewards" like getting your travel expenses paid for or receiving a small appearance fee.

While somewhat different to working as a professional athlete in Australia with access to proper physios, strength and conditioning and nutrition experts, Mentor says netball on the whole has "evolved".

"The games are a lot faster, it's got a lot more physical and I'm hoping that the officiating is able to keep up with that," she said.

She hopes NSL franchises can start to incorporate "professional behaviours", like not having to train late at night to allow for players who also have to work or study.

"Training here starts at 6pm, sometimes 8pm, and for me, I'm probably going to bed about 9pm!"

On whether she will be around to play in a professional NSL, Mentor is undecided.

"Who knows? I'm really enjoying my netball at the moment. I would love to start a family, being able to have a proper off-season there is the possibility of that, but who knows what the body and mind has in store," she said.

"It's going to be be very alien when I step away. I'd love to stick around for as long as possible."