SYDNEY UNI FLAMES SKIPPER PORTER SET TO RETIRE AT SEASON’S END 

Former Women’s National Basketball League Most Valuable Player and Athens Olympian Natalie Porter has announced her retirement and will finish a distinguished career with her final regular season game against Canberra in Sydney on Saturday.

Fittingly, the Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames skipper’s final regular season game will be against traditional rival Canberra and will be televised nationally at 1pm as the Flames look to sneak into the play-offs with victory over the reigning champions.

Porter will wind up her WNBL career as one of Sydney’s most decorated players, having claimed a league MVP gong, represented her country on the biggest stage and captained the club.

The versatile forward started her career with Dandenong and enjoyed successful stints with the Bulleen and Townsville before linking with Sydney, where she combined playing at the elite level with furthering her education through Sydney University.

   Porter recently completed her Master of Business through the university and has managed to juggle the demands of tertiary study with the rigors of captaining a team in the Women’s National Basketball League.

With Saturday’s blockbuster clash with Canberra being so important to the chances of extending her career for an extra game or two in the play-offs, the Flames skipper will be out to produce a vintage performance against the premiers.

The long-time Opal and Athens Olympic silver medalist said she had devoted basically a lifetime to the sport of basketball and would leave with many fond memories.

“My life for the last 25 years has been all about the game of basketball,” she said.

“Growing up I lived for the game, and wanted to spend all of my time at the stadium. I have very fond memories of my time on court at the Nunawading Basketball Stadium and the friends that I made there.

“Junior basketball to me looking back was the best fun, spending a week with your mates, decorating your bus, playing against players that had styles you never knew existed.”

Porter said she had enjoyed a wonderful ride in more than 270 games in the WNBL and had the opportunity to play alongside and compete with some terrific athletes.

“I remember being a rookie at Dandenong and looking forward to training just so I could hang out with WNBL & Australian legends like Lucille Hamilton & Sally Phillips,” she said.

“I have learnt so much over my time in the league. I am a huge supporter of Australian basketball and have always felt very loyal to this league, even though it doesn’t pay the huge bucks and it has been challenging.

“I love playing in front of a home crowd week in, week out and seeing the smiles on the little girls and boys faces when they get to watch you play; and like I did at that age, dream of some day being in your shoes.

Now running a successful business of her own, Porter said she had been fortunate to have the support of Sydney University and Sydney Uni Sports and Fitness in preparing for a life after basketball.
“I am especially thankful to the University of Sydney for allowing me the chance to complete my Master of Business, and to the Flames program for giving me great memories and experiences over the last 5 years.
“I am looking forward to what my future holds, running my business NPIRE and trying my hand as Head Coach of the Maitland Mustangs Women’s ABA team.

“This is definitely not a goodbye to the league; I will just be enjoying the WNBL from the sidelines next season.

Sydney Uni Flames coach Karen Dalton paid tribute to her captain and her contribution to the club over five seasons.

“Nat has been a leader for our team and has shown what can be achieved in terms of achieving on and off the court,” Dalton said.

“She has been an Olympian, a league MVP and managed to complete a Masters, which is a terrific achievement in itself.

“Nat has been a great ambassador for the Flames and the WNBL and no doubt will continue to have an involvement in the league for years to come.”

Porter’s final game against Canberra will tip-off at 1pm at the Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday, February 19 and will be televised live through ABC-TV.

The captain said she was looking forward to the game and the chance to thank and acknowledge her many friends and supporters around the league.

“To all of the people, and there have been a lot over the years I am very grateful for the lessons you taught me, both in life and in basketball,” she said.

 

For more information regarding Natalie Porter’s retirement, please contact the Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames on 93518100.