England international and beloved figure of the game, Jo Harten, has today called time on her retirement from elite netball, drawing to a close a remarkable career that has spanned more than 20 years and helped shape the professional era of the sport.
Harten, 36, retires as a true icon of the game, having left an incredible mark on three National League competitions – the UK’s SuperLeague, New Zealand’s ANZ Championship and Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball.
Known for her fierce competitiveness, tactical intelligence and shooting prowess, Harten was not only a standout performer, but a trailblazer for English players competing abroad. Her legacy is most strongly felt at GIANTS Netball, where she was a foundation player and club captain.
Joining the GIANTS for their inaugural 2017 season, Harten quickly became the face of the club and a cornerstone of its culture. Her fierce on-court presence, match-winning instincts, and unwavering leadership lead the club both on and off the court.
Prior to her time in Sydney – a city she now calls home with her wife and daughter - Harten built a strong reputation in New Zealand’s ANZ Championship, playing for both the Canterbury Tactix and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
She was one of the first English players to succeed in the Southern Hemisphere and her success helped pave the way for future international athletes in both the ANZ and Super Netball competitions.
Her domestic journey began in England, playing for the Galleria Mavericks, as well as Loughborough Lightning in the UK SuperLeague.
Even early in her career, Harten’s creativity, composure and competitiveness were hallmarks of her game — traits that would define her across every team she represented.
Off the court, Harten has been a vocal advocate for player wellbeing, professionalism in netball, increased visibility for women’s sport and her commitment to growing the game has left a lasting legacy that goes well beyond statistics or accolades.
“It’s been a true privilege to have played netball at the elite level, competing with some of the best female athletes in the world over the past 20 years,” Harten said.
“Having started my journey back in the UK in 2006, I’m honoured to close out my career in my now home of Sydney at a club that is so close to my heart."
“Although my on-court days have come to a close, I look forward to exploring roles within the netball community moving forwards, championing the future generations that will take the sport to new heights."
“I will forever be indebted to the sport and all those that play a role in making our game great, thank you to all that took the time and effort to help me achieve a childhood dream.”
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald added:
“Jo has been one of the most influential players I’ve ever coached, and I congratulate her on a fantastic career,” she said.
“She’s a fierce competitor, a natural leader and a passionate advocate for our sport.
“Jo has this rare ability to change a game in an instant — not just with her skill, but with her presence. She’s the kind of player you build a team around, and that’s exactly what we did at the GIANTS.”
“She gave everything to the game — from mentoring young players and building culture, to standing up for what she believed in. While we’ll miss her grit and spark on court, her influence on netball is far from over.”
The GIANTS will celebrate Harten and her contributions to the game this Saturday at their final game of the season when they take on the Mavericks at Ken Roswall Arena on Saturday afternoon.
GIANTS Netball
