SILVER FERNS STAR ANNA FABULOUS AT 40!
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|July 24, 2023
She may have retired from netball, but the legendary defender can't get away from sport
Kelly Bertrand
SILVER FERNS STAR ANNA FABULOUS AT 40!

When most of us turn the big 4-0, we might organise a little party W or perhaps a spot of self-indulgence. Silver Fern legend Anna Harrison bought a mountain bike.

"I just can't seem to get away from sport," she tells Woman's Day with a laugh. "It was a birthday and a 10-year wedding anniversary gift. I can't believe Craig and I have been married for that long! "It's been really nice, actually. I knew it would be good to find something new that I didn't have anything to compare myself or others to.

I've really loved it! It's been part of the healing process." There's been the need for a little "healing" in the past few years since Anna, one of New Zealand netball's greatest players, retired from the court for good in 2021. The adjustment is one the mum-of-three is still trying to get her head around.

"It's kind of like a grieving period when you leave your sport," she tells. "I haven't left completely - I'm still dabbling in a few different areas - but I knew it was time to leave netball when I did.

"I've watched a lot of the ANZ Championship games this year and I haven't wanted to be out there playing, so that is a good sign of moving on!

"But it's such a change in your lifestyle and when you've been playing top-level sport since you were a teenager, being an athlete becomes your identity. I still identify as an athlete, just an older, not-as-intense-one, mainly because apart from having a very clear role as a mother, I don't have a career sussed to identify with yet."

While hanging up her netball bib has been a journey for the star defender, life has been "pretty good" lately as she's balancing being mum to Isaac, nine, Georgia, eight, and three-year-old Benjamin with indoor volleyball, a bit of netball commentating and studying for a positive psychology and wellbeing diploma, plus coaching Georgia's netball team! 

Denne historien er fra July 24, 2023-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 24, 2023-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZSe alt
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024