Ravaillion confirmed her decision to Firebirds teammates on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s Suncorp Super Netball Round 14 match against the Melbourne Vixens at Nissan Arena.
A two-time premiership winner with the Firebirds who has captained the club for the past three seasons, Ravaillion will exit as one of the greatest players to have represented the club.
“I’ve spent over a third of my life as a professional netballer but the time has come to close this chapter of my life,” Ravaillion said.
“I don’t fully know what my next move will be but what I do know is I’m closing the door on one big thing to open the door for another.
“I’m so excited to be reunited with Adam and dedicate my time to my family.
“My time in purple has been amazing and unforgettable. There are so many people to thank who have been with me through this journey – family, friends, teammates – words cannot express how much I love and appreciate you all.”
Signed as a teenager ahead of the 2013 season, Ravaillion hadn’t even played her first National League game when she made her debut for the Australian Diamonds as a 19-year-old against England in January.
Ravaillion would go on to earn 60 caps for her country, winning both World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold.
In her first four seasons with the Firebirds, the team made Grand Finals in each campaign, famously claiming back-to-back premierships in 2015 and 2016.
A former Laura Geitz Medallist, Ravaillion was also named the 2016 ANZ Championship Series Finals MVP.
In 2017 Ravaillion moved to Melbourne to be part of the Collingwood Magpies’ inaugural Suncorp Super Netball campaign, playing 43 games in black and white across three seasons before sitting out the 2020 season while pregnant with daughter Georgie.
Ravaillion returned to the Firebirds in 2021 before being appointed club captain ahead of the 2022 season.
“Kim, or Rav, as she is affectionately known, bleeds purple and we thank her for her incredible contribution in the purple dress, and to the game more broadly," Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds Chief Executive Kate Davies said.
"From the very start, Kim set an enviable high performance standard which she upheld throughout her career. She is the definition of hard work, persistence and resilience.
"On behalf of the Queensland Firebirds and Netball Queensland, I thank Kim for the dedication and passion she tenaciously applied over her distinguished netball career."
Earlier this season, Ravaillion marked a significant milestone when she made her 150th National League appearance in the Round One match against Adelaide Thunderbirds.
That achievement was extra special for the 30-year-old after she had undergone off-season spinal surgery just before Christmas.
Firebirds members and supporters will get their chance to farewell Ravaillion on Saturday when the team hosts the Vixens in the final fixture 2024 in what will be her 157th National League appearance.
