Netball
It’s the Netball World Cup!
Meet the England Roses Squad and Get Ready for the Action
The Netball World Cup is taking place in Liverpool from 12th-21st July! 16 teams are competing from around the world. Joining the hosts England are: Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, South Africa, Malawi, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Fiji, Samoa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
There are 2 sessions of netball each day, morning and afternoon/evening with lots of games being played during those session times.
England are playing on:
12th July v Uganda 7 p.m
13th July v Scotland 3 p.m
14th July v Samoa 11 a.m
The rest of the schedule has yet to be arranged but the Final takes place on the afternoon of 21st July.
If you haven’t got a ticket to watch the matches then you can head to the Fan zone at Chavasse Park within Liverpool ONE where the action will be streamed live. There are also netball activities, food, music and Q and A sessions with players. Entry to the park is free.
If you can’t get to Liverpool then SkySports are showing the matches from the start of the competition and the BBC are showing matches from July 15th.
England Netball are also hosting Junior Clubs Vitality Netball World Cup Experience in July and a Schools Vitality Netball World Cup experience, links to both below with further details:
Want to learn some netball skills or improve the skills you already have? Check out this skills session from England Netball player Sasha Corbin to help you on your way!
Want to learn more? Why not start playing Netball for a club?
Visit www.englandnetball.co.uk and click on the ‘Play’ icon then scroll down to how often you want to play ‘regularly’, ‘around my commitments’ or ‘in the school holidays’ then how many miles from your postcode and search!
With thanks to England Netball for the use of this video.
With thanks to England Netball for the use of this video.
Love netball and want to learn more? Why don’t you check out the netball festival England Netball are running with Sport Experiences in October half term? The last one was over the Easter holidays and was a huge success.
Over 1,000 students and their school teachers went to Disneyland Paris to enjoy coaching sessions, competitions, fun activities, meet and greets with famous netballers and more.
Visit the link below to book your place or let your teachers know!
We spoke to England Roses player George Fisher about how she started playing netball.
George Fisher – Saracens Mavericks and England Vitality Roses
Many thanks to Eliza Morgan for the use of this image.
How old were you when you first started playing netball?
I started playing netball at 11 years old in year 6 at my primary school. My netball teacher told me I had to play as I was the tallest in the school!
Did you start playing in a different position to the one you play now?
I was GK originally and then moved to GD before being put under the post at the other end shooting. In my first match for Turnford playing GK I got every rebound (because I was so tall) and then passed it straight back to the other team!!
How did you progress to playing for England? Was it through school, club, county?
My club Turnford NC sent me for Regional trials at 12 years old, the set up was different then as you had Satellite, County and Regional sections and I somehow got selected. I was training with girls quite a bit older than me who were very good and really helped me with my game. From Regional I was selected for England U17/19 trials at 13 years old but didn't get selected, so I trained hard and was lucky enough to get selected the following year.
Do you have to be tall to play netball?
No. You can play netball no matter what shape or size you are. You need your pocket rockets along with your gladiators. Sometimes it helps to be a little taller if you're in the shooting circle but look at Nat Midhurst, Australian GA, she's 5'7".
Were you always amazing at netball or did you have to work hard at it?
When I first played netball I wasn't very good at throwing or catching but with the help of my coaches and tons of practicing I got better. I really enjoyed playing netball so wanted to improve. When my coaches thought I might be good at shooting they literally stood me under the post just shooting for the whole training session.
What other sports did you play when you were at school?
I played all sports at school, tag rugby, basketball, athletics, volleyball, rounders, football, hockey - I've always loved sport and competing. My main sport before I started playing netball was swimming. I swam competitively from the age of 8 and my claim to fame was being interviewed as a potential Olympic swimmer for the 2012 Olympics.
Who is your sporting idol?
Michael Phelps – he has won the most Olympic medals ever!
Do you have to eat particular foods to play netball for England?
You do have to watch what you eat as an athlete, you need to be putting healthy foods into your body to get the best out of it. What you eat fuels your body, when I was younger I didn't really understand this but I do know now that this is important. One of my favourite foods is long stem broccoli - I eat it with everything! But I still have chocolate treats every so often.
What’s your favourite treat food?
Cheesy crisps!
Do you have a favourite song you play in the changing room before you have a big match?
Not a favourite song as such, I love music pre match in the changing room and it will just be whatever I'm feeling that day.
What has been your favourite moment playing netball?
My favourite moment so far was going to the World Youth Cup in 2018 in Botswanna and coming home with a bronze medal. As a squad the majority of us had been training together for a few years and it was amazing to share this experience with a group of real friends. Fantastic memories.
Why should kids start playing netball?
Through netball you will make lifelong friends, you will have fun and get fit while enjoying yourself. It's great to part of a team and your team mates will always have your back.
Who will win the World Cup?!
ENGLAND
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