Bernice Mene

Playing career National Provincial Championships In 1992, aged just 16, Mene made her senior debut for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championships. She played for Canterbury between 1992 and 1994, Wellington in 1995 and 1996 and Southland in 2000.

Southern Sting Between 1998 and 2002, Mene played for Southern Sting in the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league. She captained Sting as they won four premierships, winning titles in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Mene was one of the first professional netball players in New Zealand. She retired from senior netball at the end of the 2002 season. On 23 July 2018, Mene, together with Donna Wilkins, Belinda Colling and Natalie Avellino, played for Sting in a charity match against Netball South of the National Netball League. The match marked Sting's 20th anniversary. In April 2022, she was included on a list of the 25 best players to feature in netball leagues in New Zealand since 1998.

New Zealand Between 1992 and 2001, Mene made 76 senior appearances for New Zealand. On 7 November 1992, aged just 17, she made her senior debut against England during an away tour. At the time she was still attending Villa Maria College. She had previously represented New Zealand at the 1992 World Youth Netball Championships. She subsequently represented New Zealand at the 1993 World Games, the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 1995 and 1999 World Netball Championships. She captained New Zealand at the 1996 World Youth Netball Championships. In 1997, aged just 22, she captained the senior New Zealand team for the first time. During her playing career Mene, regularly suffered with a degenerative knee condition. Shortly after being first appointed captain, she had an injury-enforced break. She again captained New Zealand during 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2001 she captained New Zealand as they won a Tri Nations Series that also featured Australia and South Africa. In February 2002, she announced her retirement from international netball.

Teacher During the early 2000s, Mene worked as a teacher at Mount Albert Grammar School. Her subjects included French, German and English. In 2000 she established the MAGS Netball Academy. Subsequent graduates of the academy have included Maria Tutaia, Maia Wilson, Jamie-Lee Price and Erikana Pedersen.

Television In 2005, Mene was a contestant on New Zealand's Dancing with the Stars. She has also worked as a netball commentator for Sky Sport (New Zealand). Together with Tania Dalton, Anna Stanley, Natalie Avellino and Kathryn Harby-Williams, she was part of their commentary team for the 2007 and 2011 World Netball Championships. Date TV series Channel Role Episode

Constitutional Advisory Panel Between 2011 and 2013, Mene served on the New Zealand Constitutional Advisory Panel.

Honours New Zealand World Netball Championships Runners Up: 1995, 1999 Commonwealth Games Runners Up: 1998 World Games Runners up: 1993 World Youth Netball Championships Winners: 1992 Southern Sting Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup Winners: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Runners Up: 1998

Individual Awards