Netball Super League | Surrey Storm legend Katy Hughes retires from netball

Katy Hughes during the Vitality Netball Superleague Super 10 at Arena Birmingham on January 5, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for England Netball)

Surrey Storm legend Katy Hughes has announced her retirement from netball after more than a decade in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

Hughes, 29, has been an ever-present in the Surrey Storm squad since the start of 2011 and has captained the team since 2018.

The Storm NPL youth graduate has been instrumental in the success of the franchise and played a vital role in the club’s 2015 and 2016 campaigns, which led to back-to-back VNSL titles.

Hughes’ impact on the side continued into the 2020 campaign as she started all four of Storm’s games, making six turnovers and four intercepts.

The defender became a Superleague favourite due to her ability and now iconic partnership with Hannah Knights who also retired from the game last month. Off court, her commitment to the club and community made her a hit with fans.

Announcing her retirement, Hughes said: “Thank you to everyone who has been part of my netball journey.

“Thank you to the coaches and players who inspired, supported and pushed me to work harder and achieve more.

“A huge thank you to the Storm supporters, walking out in front of our home crowd is incredible – your enthusiasm and noise is inspiring.

“You have been there throughout triumphs and defeats, it has been an honour playing in front of such passionate fans.

“I will definitely miss being out on court playing in duck egg blue, but I am looking forward to a new job and new adventures. Forever Storm.”

Surrey Storm legend Katy Hughes has today announced her retirement from netball 💙

An ever-present member of the Storm side for over a decade, Katy will be deeply missed by everyone 🙌🏼

Read the full statement here: https://t.co/KP0IPZas48 #ThankYouKaty 💙 pic.twitter.com/9ItjeoSiyy

— Surrey Storm (@SurreyStorm) August 10, 2020

Director of Netball Mikki Austin added: “Katy defines Surrey Storm – passionate, driven and dedicated!

“Katy has been an integral part of the club for over a decade, having grown through the youth ranks to excelling at Superleague, winning two championships and going on to captain the club – there isn’t much more one can achieve throughout their domestic career.

“There isn’t words to say how thankful I am to have played alongside Katy, or how thankful we are as a franchise for her to have seen out her entire tenure in Duck Egg Blue.

“We’re so excited for your next chapter, but gutted that means the Hughes name will no longer be in the corner of our changing room.”

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