Trailblazing former Football Ferns captain Melissa Ruscoe has been inducted as a Sporting Legend of Canterbury.

Ruscoe, Football Fern no.77, was among two athletes acknowledged at the May 24 Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards, alongside triathlon pioneer John Hellemans.

The Sporting Legends of Canterbury title recognises people who have made a profound and lasting impact on the sporting community in Waitaha and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ruscoe and Hellemans’ induction brings the total Sporting Legends of Canterbury to 34 since they began in 2007.

“When you get those representative honours, it’s extremely proud and humbling as it is tonight,” Ruscoe told broadcaster Lesley Murdoch at the induction ceremony. “But it’s never about you as the individual because, as we’ve heard before, it takes a village.”

A genuine superstar in football and later rugby and rugby sevens, Ruscoe was known for her strong defensive skills and leadership on the field. Having made her Football Ferns debut against Bulgaria in 1994, Ruscoe became a mainstay in the national squad and went on to captain the side before her retirement in 2000.

Along the way, she appeared for the Football Ferns 23 times, scoring two goals. She was also named New Zealand Player of the Year in 1997 and NZ International Female Footballer of the Year in 2000.

Renowned for her natural mana and captaincy style, Ruscoe said she liked to lead by example.

“There’s a team of leaders when you’re in a team environment like that; everyone has their role and responsibilities. So, I was never a big talker, I don’t think.

“Actions speak louder than words and I was always, ‘If I’m expecting others to do things and to train and do all that sort of stuff and then perform on the field, then I’ve got to be doing the same thing.’ So, I think I was a leader by my actions.”

Ruscoe joins the late Steve Sumner as New Zealand football icons who have been inducted as Sporting Legends of Canterbury.

Article added: Thursday 29 May 2025