Surrey Storm and England shooter Pamela Cookey has announced that she will retire from international netball with immediate effect.
The former England captain amassed 114 caps over eleven years for the England Roses and also represented England at U17 and U21 levels with incredible distinction.
Cookey will continue playing domestically in the Vitality Netball Superleague next season for Surrey Storm.
Reflecting on the announcement, she said “I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to where I am today. From all at England Netball to numerous coaches, the EIS, my surgeons Andy and Rhys and of course, Sport England for our funding.
“Our sponsors have been wonderful, as have our incredible fans and supporters throughout my career. I would also like to thank all of my amazing teammates across the years and so many more I have undoubtedly missed off!”
England’s most capped attacker concluded: “I’ve really loved wearing the red dress and I hope I have been able to give back as much as I have received to the sport.”
It all started back in 2004 when, as a fresh faced 19-year-old, Cookey made her debut against the might of the Australian Diamonds.
In 2006 she collected her first honours in a major competition as part of the bronze medal winning Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne. A feat she was to repeat four year later at the Games in Delhi.
A bronze medal was also secured at the 2011 Netball World Cup in Singapore. This was not to be the only highlight of that particular year for England’s sharp shooter.
In November 2011, the Netball World Series, more recently known as Fast5, was held in Liverpool.
England went into the competition with an outside chance of glory but a fabulous final day saw Cookey, in her role as vice-captain, help to inspire the team to a first ever global championship gold medal.
As a consistent fixture in the team, only injury ruled her out of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The tenacity and determination that were evident throughout Cookey’s career were showcased in her comeback.
A successful rehabilitation period allowed the England Netball Hall of Fame star to reach the 100 cap landmark in May 2015 when she was honoured on court with a standing ovation following a win over Trinidad & Tobago at the Copper Box.
Her last game in the red dress was at the Netball World Cup in Sydney earlier this summer, as part of the England side which successfully claimed bronze with a 66-44 victory over Jamaica.
Storm fans can catch Pamela in action this season as Surrey look to retain their Superleague title. Click here for full ticket info and to buy online.
(Release from England Netball website)
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