After announcing her retirement from netball at both an elite domestic and international level after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, during this Black History Month it’s worth focusing on one of England’s most decorated internationals, who is now seen performing at equally elite levels as one of the country’s leading ‘legal eagles’.
Making her senior international netball debut against Malawi in 2008, Eboni Usoro-Brown recorded well over 100 caps and became one of the most decorated internationals in the country, with highlight coming when she competed for her country at the 2018 Commonwealth Games - her third successive Commonwealth Games appearance, which proved to be the pinnacle of her international career. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Ebony was part of the English national team which stunned defending Games champions, World champion and hosts, Australia, after securing a memorable and historic gold medal after a thrilling 52-51 win to secure a fantastic team gold medal.
Appearing in a number of Commonwealth Games, World Series, and Championships, she spent two spells at Team Bath - winning four Vitality Netball Superleague titles (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010) - and then captaining the Blue and Gold for six seasons (2016-2021).
Enjoying spells with West Coast Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds and Queensland Firebirds, Eboni Usoro-Brow was also well-respected and looked-up-to during her time in Australia. After giving birth to her daughter Savannah in 2020, Usoro-Brown competing at her fourth Commonwealth Games - Birmingham 2022.
In recognition of her achievements and legacy on and beyond the court, she was inducted into the England Netball Hall of Fame in December 2020. Discussing her achievements, Usoro-Brown said: “It’s been one of my greatest honours to represent England Netball in a career that has spanned over 17 years.
“I’m proud to have amassed 116 caps, having represented the Roses in 7 major tournaments and being part of a team that created history by winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the honour of being inducted into England Netball’s Hall of Fame.”
“After giving birth to Savannah in 2020, one of my goals was to make the Commonwealth Games team. It was incredibly special to have my daughter sit in the crowd watching her mum continue to achieve her dreams on the world stage.” For Eboni, though, there was always going to be a life to look forward to post-sport.
Graduating from Bristol University with an LLB Law degree in 2009 before staying at Bristol to complete the LLM postgrad and then the LPC at UWE to qualify as a solicitor, she completed a training contract, worked at Allen & Overy in Australia while playing professional netball, and is now a fully qualified solicitor as well as a sports pundit.
From the playing court to the law courts, Eboni Usoro-Brown is now more at home working full-time in commercial litigation for DAC Beachcroft - a leading law firm with expertise in insurance, health and real estate sectors. And above all, she tells you that she couldn’t be happier.
