Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick (born 20 August 1992) is a New Zealand netball and rugby sevens player. She plays for the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championships.[1] She can play the Goal Keeper, Goal Defence, and Wing Defence positions. She is of Samoan heritage.[2]
Personal information | |||||||||||||
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Full name | Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick | ||||||||||||
Born |
New Zealand | 20 August 1992||||||||||||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||
School | St Cuthbert's College | ||||||||||||
University | University of Auckland | ||||||||||||
Relatives | Theresa Fitzpatrick (sister) | ||||||||||||
Netball career | |||||||||||||
Playing position(s): GK, WD, GD | |||||||||||||
Years | Club team(s) | Apps | |||||||||||
2010 | Northern Mystics | ||||||||||||
2011–2012 | Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic | ||||||||||||
2013–present | Southern Steel | ||||||||||||
Years | National team(s) | Caps | |||||||||||
2011 |
| 1 | |||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||
Last updated: 11 December 2012 |
Early life and career
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick was born in Auckland in 1992[3] to Olive and Konelio Tone, but was living with her uncle Greg and aunt Rosie ever since. She is an elder sister to Theresa Fitzpatrick. She signed with the Northern Mystics for the 2010 season, while still at the St Cuthbert's College at the age of 17.[2] She moved to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic for the 2011 season in a bid for more court time. After a solid season, that saw her nominated as Best Young Player, she was selected for the Silver Ferns[4] for the 2011/12 season, in place of the injured Casey Kopua and Katrina Grant. She made her debut in the first match of a two-game series against England. She was also named captain of the NZ U21 team in a three match series against Australia, which they lost 2–1.[5] She also made the fastnet team for the 2011 World Netball Series, where her team scored 48-27 earning her a silver medal.[6]
In 2012, she was dropped from the squad after spending most of the season on the bench behind veteran defenders Casey Williams and Leana De Bruin, while the Magic won the premiership.[7] She played again for the NZ U21 team.[2]
For the 2013 season, she has again moved teams in search of court time, this time to the Southern Steel,[2] where she will link up with her fellow U21 defenders Storm Purvis and Phoenix Karaka, as well as ex-Auckland teammate Rachel Rasmussen.[8]
She competed for Samoa in rugby sevens at the 2015 New Zealand Women's Sevens Series.[9]
Resignation and personal life
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick is a mother to twins Tevita and Theresa, the latter of whom was named in honour of her sister. The twins were born on Boxing Day, and after it, Tone-Fitzpatrick resigned from her netball career.[2]
References
- Egan, Brendon (3 October 2012). "Tone-Fitzpatrick goes south, links with Southby". The Southland Times. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "Netballer Sulu Fitzpatrick's second sporting life". Stuff.co.nz. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "Netball: Magic move pays off for Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick". Rotorua Daily Post/The New Zealand Herald. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Nominated for ANZ Championship's 2011 Best Young Player Award". Netball New Zealand. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "The online home of Netball New Zealand • Netball New Zealand". Netball New Zealand. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "Newcomers make their mark in Silver Ferns win". Netball New Zealand. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- Johannsen, Dana (15 May 2012). "Netball: De Bruin mishap worry for Magic". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "'City girl' Rasmussen delighted with move south". The Southland Times. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- "Sport: Former Silver Fern to make Samoa sevens rugby debut". Radio New Zealand. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2019.