SPORT

Irene Van Dyk

Irene van Dyk MNZM – Netball Legend & Leadership Role Model


Irene van Dyk is one of New Zealand’s most admired athletes — and a speaker who brings heart, humility, and leadership to every stage. Born in South Africa and adopted by Aotearoa in 2000, she played 145 tests for the Silver Ferns, winning a World Cup and two Commonwealth Games golds. Her 90% shooting accuracy and calm under pressure made her a global icon of the game.

Since retiring, Irene has stepped into coaching, mentoring and advocacy roles. She’s a driving force behind Netball NZ’s youth programmes, a familiar face in schools and communities, and a champion for girls’ participation in sport. In 2024, she was inducted into Netball NZ’s Hall of Fame — recognised not just for her record-breaking career, but for the positive impact she continues to make off the court.

Warm, funny and relatable, Irene is a natural fit for sports conferences, youth events, leadership panels, and corporate teams looking for insights on resilience, focus and team culture.

Ideal for:

  • Sports and education events

  • Leadership and team culture sessions

  • Youth and wellbeing programmes

  • Women in sport or high-performance panels

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