The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic will pay departing stalwart Casey Kopua the ultimate honour, renaming their home stadium after her for Casey's final home game.

Casey has been in the Magic team for 17 years and will bow out for her franchise side at Claudelands against the Northern Mystics on Sunday as the 2019 ANZ Premiership nears its finale.

From Thursday, the arena section of Claudelands will be renamed 'Casey Kopua Arena', until the conclusion of Sunday's game.

This is a rare honour for any sportsperson, but Casey has created a rich legacy with the sport and is the embodiment of the Magic culture and ethos.

Last season, the Southern Steel bestowed the honour upon their long-time midcourter and captain Wendy Frew, renaming Stadium Southland, 'Wendy Frew Stadium', for her final home game in Invercargill.

The 33-year-old has only played for Magic, joining the team as a teenager in 2003, and Sunday will be her 186th match for the team. Being a Waikato local, Claudelands holds many special memories for her and Magic fans and is Casey's favourite venue in the ANZ Premiership.

Casey is a legend of New Zealand netball, playing 104 tests for the Silver Ferns since her debut in 2005, and previously captained the national side.

Sean Murray, the Council's General Manager for Venues, Tourism and Events, says naming the court after Casey reflected her mana and strong connection to the city and the venue.

"Claudelands is Casey's home court, and her efforts here for the Magic have been roared on by the crowd for more than a decade.

"When the Magic approached us about this acknowledgement for one of their team's stalwarts, we were immediately on-board. Casey really deserves a tribute of this kind as she signs off on a great career, which we're proud to have been a part of."

Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty chief executive Rohan West says it was a fitting tribute to Casey.

"There'd hardly be a better way to honour Casey. In a venue that witnessed some of her greatest individual and team performances, and in a city where the fans adore her, it seems a natural thing to do."

"A number of teams and venues, both domestically and around the world, have done something similar when other sporting legends retire."

Casey is expected to be named in the Silver Ferns' 12-strong World Cup squad and will finish up from elite netball after that tournament in July in Liverpool, England.

-Stuff.co.nz