Lesley Nicol
Encyclopedia
Lesley Marie Rumball, ONZM
(née Nicol; born 9 May 1973) is a former New Zealand
netball
player. Rumball played with the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, from 1993–2005. She represented New Zealand in 109 tests to become the second most capped player in Silver Ferns history behind Irene van Dyk
. Rumball played as a midcourt defender during her top-level netball career, before her retirement in 2006.
(1995, 1999, 2003) and two Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002). She was co-captain of the Silver Ferns with Bernice Mene
from 1999–2001 and 2003–04; she was also vice-captain in 1998, 2002 and 2005.
in the National Bank Cup in 1998, with the Rebels winning the title that season. The following year she changed to Southern Sting
in 1999, under coach Robyn Broughtan. With the Sting she also won Cup titles every year from 1999–2004, and 2nd place in 2005 and 2006. She also became Sting captain in 2003 after Bernice Mene retired from all levels of netball.
Rumball retired from the Silver Ferns in 2005 and the Southern Sting in 2006.
in Canberra. She subsequently moved back to New Zealand to continue her career in sports medicine.
In the 2004 New Years Honours List Lesley was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(née Nicol; born 9 May 1973) is a former New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
player. Rumball played with the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, from 1993–2005. She represented New Zealand in 109 tests to become the second most capped player in Silver Ferns history behind Irene van Dyk
Irene van Dyk
Irene van Dyk, MNZM is one of the world's best-known netball players and the most capped player of all time....
. Rumball played as a midcourt defender during her top-level netball career, before her retirement in 2006.
Silver Ferns career
Rumball debuted for the national team, the Silver Ferns, in 1993. During her time with the Silver Ferns, she played in two Netball World ChampionshipsNetball World Championships
The World Netball Championships is a quadrennial international netball world championship co-ordinated by the International Federation of Netball Associations , inaugurated in 1963. Since its inception the competition has been dominated primarily by the Australian national netball team and the New...
(1995, 1999, 2003) and two Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002). She was co-captain of the Silver Ferns with Bernice Mene
Bernice Mene
Bernice Mene MNZM is a New Zealand netball player.Mene represented New Zealand playing netball for the Silver Ferns for tens year, playing 78 tests. She captained the domestic team the Southern Sting from 1998–2003, with the team winning the National Bank Cup each year she captained except for...
from 1999–2001 and 2003–04; she was also vice-captain in 1998, 2002 and 2005.
Domestic netball
Rumball played for the Otago RebelsOtago Rebels
The Otago Rebels was a New Zealand netball team which represented Otago in the National Bank Cup.Otago Rebels were the first team to win the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup...
in the National Bank Cup in 1998, with the Rebels winning the title that season. The following year she changed to Southern Sting
Southern Sting
The Southern Sting were a netball team based in Invercargill, New Zealand that competed in The National Bank Cup competition, formerly known as the Coca Cola Cup....
in 1999, under coach Robyn Broughtan. With the Sting she also won Cup titles every year from 1999–2004, and 2nd place in 2005 and 2006. She also became Sting captain in 2003 after Bernice Mene retired from all levels of netball.
Rumball retired from the Silver Ferns in 2005 and the Southern Sting in 2006.
Outside of netball
Lesley married Chris Rumball, who is also a doctor. She and her husband travelled overseas following her retirement from top-level netball, living two years in the United Kingdom followed by a year at the Australian Institute of SportAustralian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
in Canberra. She subsequently moved back to New Zealand to continue her career in sports medicine.
In the 2004 New Years Honours List Lesley was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
.