Shirley Langrope


Shirley Anne Langrope is a former [List of New Zealand national netball team|New Zealand international netball players|New Zealand netball international]. Between 1969 and 1975, she made 19 senior appearances for New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand team that won a silver medal at the 1971 World Netball Championships and captained New Zealand when they won a bronze medal at the 1975 World Netball Championships. Four of her cousins – Maxine Blomquist, Annette Heffernan, Kate Heffernan and Georgia Heffernan – have all played international netball for New Zealand.

Early life and family

Langrope is originally from Canterbury. Four of her cousins – Maxine Blomquist, Annette Heffernan, Kate Heffernan and Georgia Heffernan – have all played international netball for New Zealand.

Netball career

New Zealand

Between 1969 and 1975, Langrope made 19 senior appearances for New Zealand. On 20 June 1969 she made her senior debut for New Zealand against Australia. She was selected as a replacement for Judy Blair after she dropped out to attend her brother's wedding. She was subsequently a member of the New Zealand team that won a silver medal at the 1971 World Netball Championships. In 1974 she captained New Zealand for an away series against England. Her team mates for the series included her cousin, Maxine Blomquist. She again captained New Zealand when they won a bronze medal at the 1975 World Netball Championships. However, she was injured during the tournament and had to watch the final matches from the sidelines. In June 2000, at a celebration of Netball New Zealand's 75th anniversary, Langrope was named as a reserve in a New Zealand "dream team".
TournamentsPlace
1971 World Netball Championships
1975 World Netball Championships

Schoolteacher

Langrope became a schoolteacher and lived in Auckland. In 1992, she moved back to Christchurch to teach at South New Brighton School. In 2021, she was still listed as a staff member.