Donna Wilkins

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Donna Gaye Wilkins (née Loffhagen) (born 29 April 1978 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is one of New Zealand's leading sportswomen, representing her country in both netball and basketball. She became married to Southland farmer Mike Wilkins on March 17, 2007.[1]

[edit] Netball

Wilkins previously played for the Southern Sting in the National Bank Cup, and is now the Assistant Coach of the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. As a result of her return from WNBA basketball to the cup semi-finals in 2006, Netball New Zealand changed the rules so that players must play at least two preliminary rounds to be eligible to play in knockout games.[2]

As a member of the New Zealand national netball team, Loffhagen won two Commonwealth Games silver medals, at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Manchester in 2002.

[edit] Basketball

Wilkins formerly played for Otago in the NZ Women's Basketball League. In Australia, she played two seasons with the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL. In 2006 she signed for the Connecticut Suns in the US WNBA. She now plays for the Christchurch Sirens in the WNBL.

As of 2006, Wilkins had 95 caps for New Zealand national team,[3] including the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (as captain).

[edit] References

  1. ^ Burdon, Nathan. "Donna Loffhagen, Mike Wilkins pronounced husband and wife", Southland Times (on Netball Southland website), 2007-03-19. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  2. ^ Burdon, Nathan. "Loffhagen's return to Sting prompts rule change from Netball New Zealand", Southland Times (on Netball Southland website), 2006-11-14. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  3. ^ The Multi Talented Donna Loffhagen - New Zealand Olympic Committee