Adine Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Adine Wilson
MNZM

Wilson in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Adine Rachel Wilson (née Harper)
Born	(1979-06-08) 8 June 1979 (age 46) Hāwera, New Zealand
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
School	Hawera High School
University	University of Otago
Spouse	Jeff Wilson ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	2
Netball career
Playing position(s): WA, C, GA, GS
Years	Club team(s)	Apps
1998–2000	Otago Rebels
2001–2007	Southern Sting
2009, 2012	Southern Steel
Years	National team(s)	Caps
1999–2007	New Zealand	79
Medal record Representing  New Zealand Commonwealth Games Gold 2006 Melbourne Team World Netball Championships Gold 2003 Kingston Team Silver 1999 Christchurch Team Silver 2007 Auckland Team World Youth Netball Championships Silver 1996 Toronto Team Bronze 2000 Cardiff Team

Adine Rachel Wilson (born 8 June 1979) is a famous former netball player from New Zealand. She was also known by her maiden name, Harper. Adine played for the New Zealand national team, called the Silver Ferns, from 1999 to 2007. She played in 79 games for her country.

Adine helped New Zealand win a gold medal at the 2003 World Netball Championships. She also led the team as captain to win another gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She was captain again at the 2007 World Netball Championships.

During her club career, Adine played for the Otago Rebels and Southern Sting. She was part of six championship-winning teams. In 2022, she was named one of the top 25 netball players in New Zealand since 1998. In 2024, she received an award for her great contributions to netball. Today, Adine is a netball commentator.

Early Life and Family

Adine Rachel Harper was born on 8 June 1979. Her parents are Annette and Peter Harper. She has an older sister named Leah. Her father played rugby union for Taranaki. Both her mother and sister played netball.

Adine grew up in Hāwera, Taranaki. She went to Hawera High School there. Later, she studied at the University of Otago. She earned degrees in law and physical education. Adine is married to Jeff Wilson. He is also a famous New Zealand sportsman. Jeff played both rugby union and cricket for New Zealand. Adine and Jeff met in 1999 and got married in 2006. They have two sons.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Taranaki

When Adine was a schoolgirl, she played netball for Taranaki. She played for different age groups. While still at Hawera High School, she was chosen for the Taranaki senior women's team. She then played for Taranaki at the National Championships. After that tournament, she was picked for the New Zealand under-21 team.

Playing for Otago Rebels

From 1998 to 2000, Adine played for the Otago Rebels. This was while she was studying at the University of Otago. The Rebels played in the Coca-Cola Cup league. In 1998, Adine and her teammates won the first-ever Coca-Cola Cup championship.

Success with Southern Sting

Between 2001 and 2007, Adine played for Southern Sting. This team was part of the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league. While with the Sting, she helped them win five championships. These wins were in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007.

Her teammates at Sting included other famous players like Donna Loffhagen. Adine was the captain of Southern Sting in 2006. In April 2022, she was recognized as one of the 25 best players in New Zealand netball leagues since 1998.

Time with Southern Steel

Adine missed the first season of the ANZ Championship in 2008. This was because she was pregnant. In 2009, she returned to play for Southern Steel. She was named the team's captain. However, she had a calf injury and became pregnant again. In 2012, Adine made a short return for Steel. She played as a temporary replacement player in one game.

Playing for New Zealand

Adine Wilson played 79 games for the Silver Ferns. Her first game was on 19 June 1999 against South Africa. She played as a goal shooter. Before that, she had played for the New Zealand under-21 team. She played in the World Youth Netball Championships in 1996.

Adine also played in the 1999 World Netball Championships. She was captain of the New Zealand under-21 team that won a bronze medal in 2000. She was a key player when New Zealand won the 2003 World Netball Championships.

From 2005 to 2007, Adine was the captain of the Silver Ferns. She led them to win the gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In the final, New Zealand beat Australia 60–55. This was the first time New Zealand won the Commonwealth title in netball. She also captained the team at the 2007 World Netball Championships.

Tournaments	Place
1996 World Youth Netball Championships
1999 World Netball Championships
2000 World Youth Netball Championships
2003 World Netball Championships
2006 Commonwealth Games
2007 World Netball Championships

Life After Playing Netball

Working as a Lawyer

Adine became a lawyer in 2003. She worked as a solicitor from 2003 to 2004. From 2015 to 2021, she worked for a law firm in Auckland. She focused on trusts and commercial contracts. Since 2023, she has worked in sports law.

Writing a Book

In 2008, a book called Adine Wilson: Skills and Performance was published. The book shares parts of her life story. It also teaches netball skills. Adine wrote the book with Ron Palenski.

Netball Commentator

Since 2013, Adine has worked as a netball commentator. She also presents netball shows for Sky Sport (New Zealand). She covers games from the ANZ Championship and ANZ Premiership. She also commentates on New Zealand national team matches. For the 2019 Netball World Cup, she co-hosted Sky Sport's coverage.

Personal Life and Health

In December 2016, Adine had a serious accident. She fell and broke her neck in two places. She needed major surgery to recover.

During her netball career, Adine was diagnosed with melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer. It was found and removed early. She now strongly supports Melanoma New Zealand. She encourages people to be safe in the sun.

Awards and Honours

New Zealand

• World Netball Championships
  • Winners: 2003
  • Runners Up: 1999, 2007
• Commonwealth Games
  • Winners: 2006

Southern Sting

• Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup
  • Winners: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007
  • Runners Up: 2005, 2006

Otago Rebels

• Coca-Cola Cup
  • Winners: 1998
  • Runners Up: 1999

Individual Awards