Born in the Cook Islands, Margharet Matenga originally came to New Zealand to pursue a tennis career. However, it was on the Netball court where the teenage shooting sensation forged a remarkable career.

Playing for the famous PIC (Pacific Island Church) Club in Wellington, shooter Matenga’s natural flair, ball skills, unpredictability and charisma made everyone sit up and take notice. It was the start of a marked change in the sport which revolutionised the playmaking role of shooters, and in particular, the goal shoot position.

In tandem with Waikato’s Margaret Forsyth, the pair – dubbed the two Margs – developed into the best shooting combination in world Netball during the early 1980s.

Matenga was first selected for the Silver Ferns in 1978 becoming a star in her own right when the Silver Ferns shared the 1979 Netball World Cup title with Trinidad & Tobago and Australia.

With her beaming ever-present smile, Matenga’s untouchable skills and unique mobility took the Silver Ferns to new levels. The hugely popular sportswoman helped the Silver Ferns win the 1981 Tri-Series with England and Australia across the Tasman, including a series whitewash against Australia.

A ruptured Achilles tendon and the birth of her first child threatened to derail Matenga’s career but she bounced back in trademark fashion to be ready for the 1983 Netball World Cup in Singapore which resulted in a heart-breaking loss to Australia in their final match of the tournament.

Adopting a harder edge, the Silver Ferns became unstoppable over the next four years, winning the prized 1985 World Games title in England and following up with the Netball World Cup title in 1987.

Matenga dazzled with her sleight of hand, vision and athletic ability to leave an indelible mark on the game.