Jodi Brown Withdraws from Silver Ferns Squad

Netball New Zealand confirmed today Silver Fern Jodi Brown nee Te Huna (27 caps) has withdrawn from the Silver Ferns squad as she takes six months off to focus on her career and overseas travel with her husband Markham Brown.



Brown said it was a difficult decision to make but she felt it was the right time for her and something the newly married couple was very excited about.



“It will be like the honeymoon we never had time to take. I have committed the last 10 years of my life to Netball and while there is never a good time to take time out from your netball career, this seemed the best timing for Markham and I”.



“I still have unfinished business in Netball! I really want to play for the Silver Ferns at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. For me it was much better to take a break now, then I will be back in plenty of time to train and focus on a Commonwealth Games campaign” she said. (Brown missed the 2006 Commonwealth Games due to a tragic injury a day before the games started).



Silver Ferns Coach Ruth Aitken says while Jodi Brown’s unavailability was a loss to the Silver Ferns team, the Silver Ferns will not be playing together until September and there was still a lot time and netball to be played in the ANZ Championship.



“Jodi is a fantastic team member and she will be greatly missed. However, we respect her decision and we are pleased she’s not lost to Netball,” Aitken said.



The absence of Brown opens up an opportunity for those shooters vying for positions in the Silver Ferns Squad to push for selection during the ANZ Championship. The 2008 Silver Ferns Squad will be named in August from which the Silver Ferns team to play in this year’s up and coming internationals will be selected.



Brown will complete her 2008 netball season with the Tactics and then travel overseas.