Sulu Fitzpatrick

Sulu Fitzpatrick (born 20 August 1992), also known as Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, is a New Zealand netball and rugby sevens player. She plays for the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championships.[1] She can play the Goal Keeper, Goal Defence, and Wing Defence positions. She is of Samoan heritage.[2]

Sulu Fitzpatrick
Personal information
Full name Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick
Born (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992
New Zealand
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
School St Cuthbert's College
University University of Auckland
Relatives Theresa Fitzpatrick (sister)
Netball career
Playing position(s): GK, WD, GD
Years Club team(s) Apps
2010, 2020-present Northern Mystics
2019 Central Pulse
2011–2012 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
2013–2017 2018

Southern Steel

Northern Stars
Years National team(s) Caps
2011  New Zealand 22
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
World Netball Series
Silver medal – second place2011 LiverpoolFastnet
Netball at the Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place2022 BirminghamTeam
Last updated: 11 December 2012

Early life and career

Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick was born in Auckland in 1992[3] to Olive and Konelio Tone, but was living with her uncle Greg and aunt Rosie ever since. She is an elder sister to Theresa Fitzpatrick. She signed with the Northern Mystics for the 2010 season, while still at the St Cuthbert's College at the age of 17.[2] She moved to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic for the 2011 season in a bid for more court time. After a solid season, that saw her nominated as Best Young Player, she was selected for the Silver Ferns[4] for the 2011/12 season, in place of the injured Casey Kopua and Katrina Grant. She made her debut in the first match of a two-game series against England. She was also named captain of the NZ U21 team in a three match series against Australia, which they lost 2–1.[5] She also made the fastnet team for the 2011 World Netball Series, where her team scored 48-27 earning her a silver medal.[6]

In 2012, she was dropped from the squad after spending most of the season on the bench behind veteran defenders Casey Williams and Leana De Bruin, while the Magic won the premiership.[7] She played again for the NZ U21 team.[2]

For the 2013 season, she has again moved teams in search of court time, this time to the Southern Steel,[2] where she will link up with her fellow U21 defenders Storm Purvis and Phoenix Karaka, as well as ex-Auckland teammate Rachel Rasmussen.[8]

She competed for Samoa in rugby sevens at the 2015 New Zealand Women's Sevens Series.[9]

In 2021 she captained the Auckland Mystics to win the ANZ premiership, in the 23-year history of the franchise netball in New Zealand no Auckland team had ever won the title.

At the netball awards of 2021 she won the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award[10]

In April 2022, Fitzpatrick was included on a list of the 25 best players to feature in netball leagues in New Zealand since 1998.[11]

Resignation and personal life

Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick is a mother to twins Tevita and Theresa, the latter of whom was named in honour of her sister. The twins were born on Boxing Day, and after it, Tone-Fitzpatrick resigned from her netball career.[2]

Fitzpatrick has a Malu to honour her late grandfather [12]

Fitzpatrick has been open about her alcohol and Mental Health issues.[13]

References
  1. Egan, Brendon (3 October 2012). "Tone-Fitzpatrick goes south, links with Southby". The Southland Times. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  2. "Netballer Sulu Fitzpatrick's second sporting life". Stuff.co.nz. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  3. "Netball: Magic move pays off for Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick". Rotorua Daily Post/The New Zealand Herald. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  4. "Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Nominated for ANZ Championship's 2011 Best Young Player Award". Netball New Zealand. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  5. "The online home of Netball New Zealand • Netball New Zealand". Netball New Zealand. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  6. "Newcomers make their mark in Silver Ferns win". Netball New Zealand. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  7. Johannsen, Dana (15 May 2012). "Netball: De Bruin mishap worry for Magic". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  8. "'City girl' Rasmussen delighted with move south". The Southland Times. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  9. "Sport: Former Silver Fern to make Samoa sevens rugby debut". Radio New Zealand. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  10. "Winners • New Zealand Netball Awards 2021".
  11. "'Top 25 of the Last 25' leave a lasting imprint / News • ANZ Premiership Netball".
  12. Netballer Sulu Fitzpatrick's second sporting life
  13. How Silver Fern Sulu Fitzpatrick overcame her battle with alcohol and depression
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.