Danielle Raynor On Passion For Netball
[Written by Stephen Wright]
For more than a decade, Danielle Raynor and the Phoenix Heat have been the undisputed queens of the Bermuda Netball Association [BNA] Senior Division.
Their dominance has been nothing short of remarkable, with the team clinching consecutive titles every season since 2012.
A key component of their success is Raynor, a prolific goal shooter who has consistently topped the league’s scoring charts.
The 39-year-old’s passion for the sport remains undiminished, driven by the strong bond she shares with her team-mates – many of whom have played alongside her since their teenage years.
“We’re very familiar with each other on and off the court,” Raynor told Bernews.
“We’ve grown together and become mothers, wives, had careers.
“We’ve also had coach Erika Russell involved from the start and know each other’s strengths and movements on the court. It really helps.
“It’s always a challenge to keep winning titles. We need to stay on our Ps and Qs – other teams want the title too. We welcome the challenge.”
Raynor’s netball journey began at the age of eight at Heron Bay Primary School before joining the BNA Senior Division at the age of 14, playing for Bermuda Public Service Union Too, the predecessor to the Phoenix Heat.
It was during this time that she honed her craft, learning from some of the island’s most formidable goal shooters, Gina Benjamin and Debbie DeShields.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking playing against older women, some in their 50s, but it was great for my development,” Raynor said.
“You had to get used to it and adjust. I remember when I wasn’t the top goal scorer. Debbie DeShields and Gina Benjamin were always battling it out – they were inspiring for me.”
The Bermuda national team player said she takes immense pride in giving back to the sport, particularly by mentoring the next generation of talent emerging from Phoenix’s junior programme.
“My focus is now helping the younger players reach the heights I never did,” she said. “Hopefully, I can help them play harder and smarter. I expect them to be better than we are!”
Raynor is not ruling out a return to the international stage. She last represented Bermuda in 2017 when the senior team competed internationally and believes she still has more to give, albeit with a bit of extra effort in the fitness department.
“I’m still open to it,” she added. “It will take some more work fitness-wise. However, I remember feeling more comfortable as a younger player when we had some experienced senior players available.”
- This is the second in a series of articles in which Bernews will be highlighting the island’s netball players.
