Kayla Johnson is a professional athlete and mother, and is one of the country’s most accomplished sportswomen, having represented New Zealand in netball since the tender age of 17.
Kayla’s heritage and upbringing is unique – her father is of Ngāpuhi descent, and her mother is from The Falkland Islands – and they raised their five sons and twodaughters in Auckland.
Self-described as “extremely competitive;” a natural athlete and motivated by the challenge and camaraderie of team dynamics, from a young age, Kayla excelled at any sport she tried her hand at. She was named “Sportswoman of the Year” at every school she attended, an early indication of the success she was soon to achieve on the international stage.
Her natural skill, ability and work ethic saw her rise quickly through the netball ranks, playing representative netball and basketball during high school, and she competed at a national level in athletics; in 2008-09 she played internationally for the New Zealand U21 netball team.
This led to her being signed to the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championship in 2010. Kayla’s performance during the 2011 season earned her a place in the ANZ Championship All-Star team and she won “Best Young Player” that year.
She went on to join the Silver Ferns, playing in the 2015 World Cup, and regularly represented NZ until she was ruled out of the 2016 Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury (requiring one of several operations on that leg).
In 2018, a new franchise presented an opportunity for Kayla to become a marquee player for the Northern Stars, a fresh start and chance to represent the region where she grew up.
Other than her on-court triumphs, Kayla’s most treasured memories from her netball career to date are the friendships she has made all over the world, and connection she has with NZ netball fans.
Off-court, Kayla shares a long love story with League star Shaun Johnson. After dating for four years, they married in 2019, the year they had also moved to Sydney, so Shaun could take up a contract with the Cronulla Sharks. The couple welcomed their daughter Millah in 2020.
Returning to NZ in 2021, the couple have settled into family life in Auckland with their little girl and two bulldogs “basically our other two, super-needy children!” says Kayla.
Kayla considers herself a relaxed, “go with the flow” personality; while she still loves connecting with friends and socialising, she has enjoyed the more mellow change of pace that parenthood has brought. Kayla’s own values – kindness, being genuine and honest, and caring for animals and the environment, are all principles she intends to raise her daughter with.
When she gets any downtime, Kayla indulges in her love of interior design and decorating, and enjoys a yoga or pilates session.
Kayla’s warmth and authenticity have earned her a significant and engaged social media following, and she has worked with a number of high-profile brands on social media campaigns, including Invisalign, Nike, Red Bull, Stirling Sports and Osmosis, Bendon Lingerie, 2XU, New Balance and Sealy.
Kayla Johnson is a professional athlete and mother, and is one of the country’s most accomplished sportswomen, having represented New Zealand in netball since the tender age of 17.
Kayla’s heritage and upbringing is unique – her father is of Ngāpuhi descent, and her mother is from The Falkland Islands – and they raised their five sons and twodaughters in Auckland.
Self-described as “extremely competitive;” a natural athlete and motivated by the challenge and camaraderie of team dynamics, from a young age, Kayla excelled at any sport she tried her hand at. She was named “Sportswoman of the Year” at every school she attended, an early indication of the success she was soon to achieve on the international stage.
Her natural skill, ability and work ethic saw her rise quickly through the netball ranks, playing representative netball and basketball during high school, and she competed at a national level in athletics; in 2008-09 she played internationally for the New Zealand U21 netball team.
This led to her being signed to the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championship in 2010. Kayla’s performance during the 2011 season earned her a place in the ANZ Championship All-Star team and she won “Best Young Player” that year.
She went on to join the Silver Ferns, playing in the 2015 World Cup, and regularly represented NZ until she was ruled out of the 2016 Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury (requiring one of several operations on that leg).
In 2018, a new franchise presented an opportunity for Kayla to become a marquee player for the Northern Stars, a fresh start and chance to represent the region where she grew up.
Other than her on-court triumphs, Kayla’s most treasured memories from her netball career to date are the friendships she has made all over the world, and connection she has with NZ netball fans.
Off-court, Kayla shares a long love story with League star Shaun Johnson. After dating for four years, they married in 2019, the year they had also moved to Sydney, so Shaun could take up a contract with the Cronulla Sharks. The couple welcomed their daughter Millah in 2020.
Returning to NZ in 2021, the couple have settled into family life in Auckland with their little girl and two bulldogs “basically our other two, super-needy children!” says Kayla.
Kayla considers herself a relaxed, “go with the flow” personality; while she still loves connecting with friends and socialising, she has enjoyed the more mellow change of pace that parenthood has brought. Kayla’s own values – kindness, being genuine and honest, and caring for animals and the environment, are all principles she intends to raise her daughter with.
When she gets any downtime, Kayla indulges in her love of interior design and decorating, and enjoys a yoga or pilates session.
Kayla’s warmth and authenticity have earned her a significant and engaged social media following, and she has worked with a number of high-profile brands on social media campaigns, including Invisalign, Nike, Red Bull, Stirling Sports and Osmosis, Bendon Lingerie, 2XU, New Balance and Sealy.
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