Claire O’Brien

Claire grew up playing netball in Australia, representing NSW at underage levels and being selected into Australia under age squads. After an achilles injury put her career on hold, Claire battled through rehab and pushed to re-establish herself at SSN level. She was unable to crack a contract in the SSN however so she moved to New Zealand to try her luck over there. Claire’s family is from NZ and so she felt right at home and the change of scenery revitalised her netball mindset.

Now a vital cog in the WBOP Magic squad, Claire’s leadership, maturity and calm nature make her invaluable when the pressure is on. She posses lightning quick feet, the ability to take off and change direction in the blink of an eye. She has a great knack of finding space where’s there’s none and hits the circle edge with strength and purpose. The touch on her feeds and vision into the circle are another of her assets. Claire is supremely fit and strong, with a huge work ethic. These qualities have caught the eye of the Silver Fern selectors. In 2026, Claire will play for the Auckland Stars, under the guidance of former Silver Fern legend, Temepara Bailey, something she hope will re-ignite her on court presence.

After a standout year in 2024, Claire was selected in the Silver Ferns squad for the first time. She made her debut later the same year and is earmarked for a long stint in the black dress. Claire prides herself on being the best she can be for herself and her teammates and is a genuinely friendly, humble and welcoming person.