In profile: Chelsea Pitman

In profile: Chelsea Pitman

Back when Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chelsea (OA2007) arrived at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Year 10 in 2004, she displayed considerable sporting prowess in netball and basketball.

By Richard Hansen.

Chelsea was one of the few students to earn a ‘Gold Pocket’, an honour reserved for students who have received international recognition in their chosen discipline, after selection in the U17 Australian netball squad.

Chelsea spent four years here, which was unusual at the time as we only had girls in the Senior College. She completed the HSC Pathways programme, designed for students participating in ‘highly demanding activities’ including professional sports.

Chelsea made her international debut for the Australian Netball Diamonds in the 2011 World Netball Championships. The Diamonds won the final 58-57 to claim the Gold with Chelsea playing a major role in the Australian victory.

She represented Australia throughout 2012 but five years later switched allegiances and was selected to play for England, qualifying through her Yorkshire-born father. She made her second international debut for England in 2017 and was part of the England team which won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, defeating her old team Australia in the final.

In September this year, Chelsea announced her retirement after the 2023 Netball World Cup. She finishes her international career as a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, a two-time World Cup representative and an incredibly proud Old Andrean.      

See Chelsea’s announcement of her retirement on her Twitter page. https://twitter.com/i/status/1703695356696125731