By Duncan Mackay

Tina McKenzie head and shouldersDecember 2 - Tina McKenzie, a member of Australia's wheelchair basketball team that won a silver medal at London 2012, has announced her retirement. 


London 2012 was the third consecutive Games that McKenzie had won a medal in having been part of the Gliders team that claimed silver at Athens in 2004 and bronze at Beijing in 2008.

The 38-year-old primary school teacher from St Peters in New South Wales played over 100 games for the Gliders and was also named captain of the team for the 2010 World Championships, where Australia took bronze.

"I am thankful for the amazing basketball journey that I have had," said McKenzie.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the people that have been along this journey with me. 

"I am honoured to be a part of the basketball and Paralympic community.

"I will always be proud to call myself a Glider."

Tina McKenzie in action at BT Paralympic World CupTina McKenzie (right) in action at BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester earlier this year

Basketball Australia chief executive Kristina Keneally led the tributes to McKenzie.

"Tina McKenzie is a truly inspirational athlete and a great Australian," she said.

"We are immensely proud of her.

"To earn the right to represent Australia at not one, but three Paralympics is a remarkable achievement, let alone to have been part of teams that have medalled at all three Games.

"She was a magnificent player and leader for the Gliders and she will be missed, but we thank her for her years of outstanding service to our sport."

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