As a player, she represented Australia at the 1963 World Netball Championships, winning a gold medal.

Shakespear also served as head netball coach at the Australian Institute of Sport.

[8] As Wilma Ritchie, Shakespear represented Australia at the inaugural 1963 World Netball Championships winning a gold medal.

[2][12] Between 1981 and 1990, Shakespear served as head coach at the Australian Institute of Sport.

[16][17][18] Wilma Shakespear, Margaret Caldow: Netball:Steps to Success (1979)