Retiring netballer Sharni Layton encourages others to speak about mental health
Athletes do not come much more gifted than netballer Sharni Layton.
At 30 years of age, she has represented her country 46 times, won two World Cups, Commonwealth Games gold and a brace of trans-Tasman netball leagues titles.
External Link: Sharni Layton Instagram
Her on-court strut means serious business, while her warm and friendly demeanour off it has seen her rise to become one of Australia's most well-known sport personalities.
But Layton has chosen to call time on her decorated career, announcing on Wednesday she would retire at the end of the Super Netball season.
The Collingwood defender revealed she almost quit the sport last year following a six-month break to overcome mental health challenges.
She hoped her journey back to the court while dealing with mental health issues would encourage others to speak up and seek professional help if they were struggling to cope.
"There is this perception in society that we are meant to be happy but if you're not, it's okay," Layton said at her retirement announcement in Melbourne.
"I think for me once I went through it, it made me realise how normal it is. I wondered why more people don't talk about it. I have had no judgement or criticism about talking about it. Only praise."
When Layton returned to playing duties she did so with much support from Netball Australia and Collingwood.
She wanted to "pay them the respect" for giving her a shot at returning to netball, even when she knew her time was "done".
"I would not have been able to do it without professional support and the support of Netball Australia and Collingwood Magpies," Layton said.
"To be able to perform under pressure after going through something like that is something that is extremely difficult and I could not have done it without the support around me."
Layton satisfied with retirement decision
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Layton, who made Wednesday's announcement in front of family, friends and teammates, said the reason she was retiring was because she had achieved all of her goals in netball.
"I have achieved everything that I could ever have hoped of, dreamed of," she said.
"I was always striving for more … last year I sat back and thought, 'you know what, I am good'."
Layton said one of the toughest moments about retiring was telling others, including her Collingwood teammates.
"To have to face up to the girls last night … I was more nervous than any game I have ever played," she said.
"I definitely didn't have the smile that I have on my face right now.
"Their reaction and their love and support is what has got me through this year in particular."
Layton, who joined former Diamonds teammates Laura Geitz, Madi Robinson and Susan Pettitt in announcing her retirement this month, said she was now open-minded as to what the future held.
"That is the most exciting thing," she said.
"I still want to be able to have an impact in women's sport in whatever role that is.
"I am really comfortable and at peace with this decision. For me to retire on my own terms is really important to me and I feel really good about that.
"There may be a few sad people out there but please know that I am really excited."
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