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Bernice Mene Doesn’t Do These Interviews…

October 19, 202501:12
00:00:00
I didn't start net till I was 10. And
00:00:02
then I started being pulled through into
00:00:04
rep teams. Like I was, you know, 6 foot
00:00:08
at 10 now. So I've been 6'2, which I am
00:00:12
now, uh, since I was 12. Canary under 20
00:00:15
runs, I was 15. The Canterbury senior
00:00:17
team, I was 16 and then New Zealand at
00:00:19
17. So it was like a really fast
00:00:21
trajectory through. When I first arrived
00:00:23
in the Silver Ferns, we were touted as
00:00:25
each time we went out in the tour
00:00:28
against Australia, we were the worst
00:00:30
Silver Ferns team that um you know had
00:00:33
taken the court against Australia and we
00:00:35
were losing by 30 goals each test match,
00:00:38
which is which is crushing.
00:00:39
>> You make the Silver Ferns when you're 17
00:00:41
and you're still at school. Actually,
00:00:42
I've got a photo here. That's um
00:00:44
>> Yeah, that's
00:00:47
>> Can we just talk about this? how
00:00:50
>> I did not know that these photos were
00:00:53
going to stay with us for the next 37
00:00:56
years or whatever.
00:00:58
>> By the end of my career, I was pretty
00:01:00
much strapped up um two ankles, two
00:01:03
knees. Um and that and and that's kind
00:01:07
of the trigger for um you know when it
00:01:10
was time to retire.

Podspun Insights

In this episode, listeners are taken on a journey through the life of a remarkable athlete who burst onto the scene at an astonishingly young age. Starting netball at just 10 years old, they quickly climbed the ranks, joining the Silver Ferns at 17 amidst a backdrop of struggles and setbacks. The narrative unfolds with candid reflections on the harsh realities of competing at the highest level, including the pressure of being labeled the 'worst Silver Ferns team' during their early matches against Australia. The emotional weight of these experiences is palpable as they recount the physical toll of the sport, culminating in a poignant discussion about the moment they knew it was time to retire. With a mix of nostalgia and resilience, this episode highlights the highs and lows of an athlete's career, making it a compelling listen for sports enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a good underdog story.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 90
    Best performance
  • 85
    Most heartbreaking
  • 82
    Best overall
  • 80
    Most emotional

Episode Highlights

  • Fast Track to Success
    Started netball at 10, quickly rose through the ranks to the Silver Ferns by 17.
    “It was like a really fast trajectory through.”
    @ 00m 19s
    October 19, 2025
  • Struggles of the Silver Ferns
    Faced tough losses against Australia, losing by 30 goals each match.
    “We were touted as the worst Silver Ferns team against Australia.”
    @ 00m 30s
    October 19, 2025

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Silver Ferns Journey00:23
  • Career Challenges00:58

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