35-year-old Dalton, who debuted for New Zealand in 1996, was recalled to the Silver Ferns squad for last year’s Test series against Australia.

The mother-of-two said she could no longer continue to juggle the demands of a young family with the commitments of being part of the 2007 Silver Ferns programme.

“I am incredibly sad to leave the Ferns and I will miss it,” she said.

“However, I know now is the right time for me to concentrate on my family. I have two young childeren and feel I would not do either netball or my family the justice they both deserve.”

Coach, Ruth Aitken paid tribute to Dalton’s contribution to the national team.

“Tania was part of our successful 2003 World Champion Silver Ferns team and has continued to provide the Ferns with maturity and resilience in the shooting circle. We wish her the very best in the next phase of her life,” Aitken said.

Dalton’s departure creates an opportunity for another shooter to come into the squad. The national selectors have not named a replacement, but will assess players in their domestic National Bank Cup and at the next Silver Ferns training camp in March.

New Zealand, the current world champion, is preparing its squad for their next major international campaign, the 2007 World Championships in Auckland in November.