Interview extract from 17/02/17

Sharelle McMahon was one of Australia’s most successful and durable netballers with a career spanning over 14 years.

McMahon represented Australia 118 times, 12 games as captain – winning two gold and two silver across four Commonwealth Games appearances.

In 2006 she served as acting captain at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games when Liz Ellis was sidelined by a knee injury.

Australia fell short to New Zealand and came away with a silver medal, besides the upset McMahon said she savoured the opportunity to play in the city she had grown up in.

“It was such an amazing thing to be involved in a home Comm Games, particularly my home city,” she said.

“We were travelling to the stadiums where I’d played and trained at every week.”

Although international travel is one of the perks of being an elite sports person, McMahon is adamant the Australian athletes will take comfort in a home Games.

“… there was just a real comfortable sense, it was fantastic to have such amazing support,” she said.

“I have no doubt, that’s what everyone will feel up on the Gold Coast next year.”

In 2014 the Australian Netball team ended their gold medal drought in Glasgow when they defeated New Zealand, but a home Games victory still weighs heavily.

However important home games history is to the Australian netball team, McMahon said the loss in Melbourne 2006 wouldn’t form a large of their Gold Coast game plan.

“History for Netball is very important and is something that is reflected on for sure,” she said.

“Whoever the team is, I think they will go in with mind on the tradition and the history but that would only play a small part.

“They will likely have their own goals and own reasons for why they want that gold medal.”

McMahon is a still a fixture court side as a commentator and Specialist Coach with the Melbourne Vixens.