“It is with a fulfilled heart that I announce my retirement from Super League,” Clare Jones confirms that she will not be competing in the 2024 Netball Super League season after debuting for Dragons in 2015.
Jones made her debut in the Netball Super League for Dragons back on the 20th November, 2015 against Team Bath, making her Dragon #71, and has been an integral part of Dragons ever since. She has gained 70 appearances in the green dress, her 50th being on the 16th May, 2022 against the same team she debuted against back in 2015.
Clare has worked her way through the ranks at Dragons, starting as a training partner to becoming a contracted player to then becoming an integral part of the leadership team. Last season, Clare transitioned from Vice-Captain to Captain and has completed her Dragons career on a high as 2023 captain.
Clare said to her Green Army about her retirement “It is with a fulfilled heart that I announce my retirement from Super League. I hang my Super League trainers up with a strong sense of pride, gratitude, and contentment. Playing for the Celtic Dragons has provided me with the fondest of memories, life learnings and true friendships! I look back on my Super League journey, starting as a 23-year-old training partner and I am thankful for all the laughs and comradery as well as the challenges and lessons. It has truly been a unique experience and to finish as Captain of a franchise I once dreamt of playing for as a youngster exceeded and surpassed all expectations, I ever had of myself.
To my family and friends, thank you! The opportunities would not have been possible without the selflessness of my mother travelling across the UK to take me to training or fixtures. Some of my favourite childhood memories I have is playing in the garden with my brother, or in the park with my cousins, never would I have thought the years of playing catch would progress the way it has onto the NSL stage. It is not always easy to ride the emotional wave of Super League with your loved one, but you have always been my rocks and biggest cheerleaders.
To my teammates both past and present, thank you for always accepting me both as a player and person and for always bringing the best out in me so that I could continuously strive to dedicate the best version of myself to the Celtic Dragons. I will forever be grateful to have trained and played with some of the best netballers across the world of which I am even more fortunate to now call them friends not just teammates.
To the Celtic Dragons, thank you for supporting me as both an athlete and academic. Without it, achieving my PhD and long-standing career goal of becoming a clinical psychologist whilst also playing would not have been possible. I will always be grateful for the platform it has provided me with to encourage all aspiring female athletes that having a “dual role” is absolutely within your reach and achievable!
Finally, thank you to everyone that has contributed to my Super League journey to have made it as memorable as it has been! To all the aspiring future Dragons, work hard, be patient and enjoy the process! I cannot wait to join the Green Army fans and continue to support the Cardiff Dragons.
Always united in Green!!
Diolch,
Clare Jones”
We would like to thank Clare for everything she has contributed to Dragons on and off the court, and we will certainly miss her in the green dress. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Clare, especially her international career with the Welsh Feathers.
