LIFE AFTER NETBALL Courtney's brave rebound

THE SPORTS STAR HAS PIVOTED TO AN UNLIKELY NEW CAREER

- Kelly Bertrand

Former Silver Fern Courtney Tairi is used to doing things just a little differently. Take her netball journey, for example. Born in Australia to Kiwi parents, Courtney (31) spent her life vying for spots in Aussie’s domestic league. She played three seasons for the New South Wales Swifts before returning to New Zealand, determined to fulfil her dream of becoming a Fern.

Always calling herself a Kiwi, despite what it said on her birth certificate, the stunning athlete achieved her dream despite three potentially career-ending injuries. “Yup, I have the scars to prove it!” she says, gesturing to her knees, which bear the marks of two anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions – and she also had an Achilles tendon repair after a rupture in 2015.

But it’s these injuries that helped lead Courtney to an unexpected passion – one that would eventually eclipse her lofty netball ambitions.

These days Courtney can call herself a broadcaster and presenter, fronting The Kiwi League Show alongside Monty Betham on Sky Sport, as well as covering all manner of sporting events for the network. It’s a dream job, and one Courtney can’t quite believe she has.

“People who know me can’t believe it either,” she says, laughing. “I used to be really shy and quiet. But I think as I took on more senior roles in my netball teams, and those captaincy roles, I got so much more confident and I found my voice. And here I am now – I think Sky almost Mr. Miyagi-ed me into this.