Irene van Dyk
Irene van Dyk, of Upper Hutt, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to netball. Mrs van Dyk is one of the world’s best netball players and has made a significant contribution to New Zealand netball over a number of years. She is the world’s most capped netballer and is a positive role model for young athletes and well known for her positive sportsmanship. She has played for the New Zealand Silver Ferns since 2000 and also plays for the Waikato Magic, whom she spearheaded to win their first National Bank Cup title in 2005. She is renowned for her goal shooting accuracy and is considered the world’s best netball goal shoot. Her average 90% percentages helped the Silver Ferns win gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the World Netball Championships in 2003. Mrs van Dyk has recently been involved with the campaign to raise awareness of high cholesterol in New Zealanders and promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle