Australian · South Australia, Australia · Born 1 January 1966Australia's longest-serving netball captain, the only player to lead the Diamonds to two World Championship titles with a 92% winning record as skipper.
Michelle den Dekker (also known as Michelle Fielke) made her Australian debut in 1985 and went on to play 84 Tests for the Diamonds, captaining the side a record 71 times between 1988 and 1995. Widely considered one of the cleanest and best defenders ever to represent Australia, she led the team to World Championship titles in 1991 and 1995 and Commonwealth Games gold at Auckland in 1990, when netball was a demonstration sport, finishing her captaincy tenure with a remarkable 92% winning record (65 wins from 71 matches). Den Dekker was a life member of the Garville Netball Club in South Australia from 1989 to 1995, helping the club to five premierships, and was voted the greatest netballer South Australia has produced. She later captain-coached the Queensland Firebirds in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy's inaugural two seasons before returning home to finish her career with the Adelaide Ravens in 2000. Den Dekker moved into coaching, serving as Australian Diamonds assistant coach from 2013 to 2015, including through the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 World Cup gold medal campaigns, before becoming head coach of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and later a defence specialist consultant for Netball Australia. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1992, inducted into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame in 2009, and elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2020.
Being the only player in history to captain Australia to two World Championship titles, with a 92% winning record as skipper
How They Played
Clean, disciplined goal defence renowned for leadership by example and an exceptional winning record as captain
Lasting Impact
Regarded as one of the finest defenders and most successful captains in Australian netball history, and a respected figure in coaching and administration since retiring
Career Honours
- World Championship Gold 1991, 1995 (captain, only player to lead Australia to 2 World Cups)
- Commonwealth Games Gold 1990
- Australia's longest-serving netball captain (71 Tests, 92% win rate)
- OAM (1992), Sport Australia Hall of Fame Legend (2020)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Garville Netball Club | 1989–1995 | — |
| Queensland Firebirds | 1997–1998 | — |
| Adelaide Ravens | 1999–2000 | — |
Australian Athletes