Peta Squire was one of the most spectacular and athletic players to have graced a netball court.
Peta Squire was one of the most spectacular and athletic players to have graced a netball court.
She was a relentless defender at wing defence, hovering, pressuring and intercepting with gob-smacking athleticism, elevation, grace and penetration – and a powerful irritant to any opposing coach.
That impact was integral to the Thunderbirds’ title-winning ways in 1998 and 1999 and with Laura von Bertouch, she co-captained the T-Birds from 2004-06.
Interestingly, after she retired from the T-Birds where she had played the second most games in the national league behind Liz Ellis, she made her way across the ditch to play for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and despite a season-ending injury in 2010, she returned to play in 2011.
In 2009, she won the distinction of being named in a World XI to play against NZ.
Squire made 54 senior appearances for the Diamonds during this period, making her first appearance in 1998.
She was subsequently a member of Australian teams that won the gold medals at the 1999 World Netball Championships, the 2002 Commonwealth Games and a silver medal at the 2003 World Netball Championships.
After her playing career, she joined the SA Police Force and became the face of advertising for new recruits to the Force.
It was the draw to be part of a team, and to do something worthwhile, that Squire says were the major motivations to sign up with the SA Police.
Her two daughters, Matilda and Poppy, have made powerful strides in their AFLW careers, demonstrating a similar athleticism and grace in a powerfully competitive environment.
