McMeniman retires

When Queensland Firebirds Clare McMeniman, formerly of Warwick, started the 2011 season, she always had it in the back of her head that this may be her last.
And after the Firebirds made history completing an undefeated season, McMeniman made the decision to finish her career on a high.
“At the end of this season, I had achieved my ultimate netball goal, which was to win an ANZ Championship with the Mission Queensland Firebirds, which was a dream come true,” she said.
“There are many factors which contributed to my decision, but I am finishing on an absolute high and will have amazing memories from my last season with the girls.”
When she is not playing netball with the Firebirds, McMeniman is a speech pathologist and, following her retirement from netball, she wants to focus on furthering her career as well as embark on a bit of international travel.
“I also plan to spend more time with family and friends and enjoying more time to myself,” she said.
The Queensland netballer is no stranger to representing her state, having played in numerous state teams and then national teams as a developing player, including a stint with the Australian Institute of Sport and Canberra Darters before debuting with the Queensland Firebirds in 2007 in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.
McMeniman’s debut is one of the highlights of her five-year professional netball career with the Firebirds.
Other highlights include being part of the inaugural ANZ Championship Firebirds team and the team’s first wins against both the Melbourne Vixens and the NSW Swifts in that debut year.
And of course the entire 2011 season will always be one of her greatest netball highlights. But with the highs come the lows and she has a few low-points during her time with the Firebirds.
“The losses at the end of the 2009 and 2010 season, which resulted in us not making finals were definitely challenging experiences, however, I think it really shaped the team we have become so they were very valuable.”
McMeniman said there were many things she would miss about being a Firebird including being able to spend time with her fellow teammates who she rates as some of her favourite people.
On the flipside, there are plenty of things she won’t miss including pre-season and 5.30am fitness sessions.
“Goodbye suicides and hill sprints,” she joked.
As she leaves the team, McMeniman leaves a legacy of being one of the toughest defenders in the ANZ Championship and big shoes to fill.
And through that time, she hopes to have inspired her fellow teammates, both on and off the court.
“As players we should all aspire to be more than netballers,” she said.
“I’d like to think that I’ve helped the girls develop a good work ethic by example and shown people that a balance in life is important.”
And of course she couldn’t have succeeded without the support of her fans.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the wonderful support I have received from Firebirds fans over the past five years,” she said.
“Each week that I have represented Queensland has given me immense pride and the support we have been given from all of you makes us love being Firebirds, thank you.”
But the Firebirds have not seen the last of McMeniman; her spirit will remain through the Hall and Oats pre-game tradition she instigated, which is sure to continue into 2012.