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Leeds Carnegie nets Neville
28/09/07
Leeds Carnegie are delighted to announce that one of England’s biggest names in Netball over the last decade, Tracey Neville, has chosen to sign for their Superleague squad after two years away from the sport recovering from a serious knee injury. Leeds Carnegie are one of only eight Netball Superleague franchises who compete in England’s top competition.
30 year old Tracey, whose brothers Gary and Phil play professional football for Manchester United and Everton respectively, has won over 70 caps for England and is now looking to revive her netball career with Leeds Carnegie. Tracey will be adding value to the Netball performance programme at Leeds by closely working alongside Anna Newell, the newly appointed Director of Netball.
Tracey said: “I am looking forward to spending the latter years of my netball career with a coach I have enjoyed playing with for many years. My selection into the squad came as a delight and I am hoping that over the next few months I am able to regain a playing standard that will be obviously expected of me.”
Over the last three years Tracey has combined television appearances and commentary work on Sky Sports’ international and Superleague Netball coverage with gaining a BSc/Hons in Nutrition and Sports Science at Chester University. She is now looking for a new challenge and has chosen Leeds Carnegie Superleague team to fulfil this ambition.
After an intense conditioning and recovery programme Tracey is at peak performance and has regained her desire to compete at elite level.
She said: “The turning point came when I contacted Bill Knowles from Isport Orthopaedic clinic in America, an Athletic Trainer who has been working very closely with some of England’s top rugby players and a specialist in knee rehabilitation. A gruelling rehabilitation programme since Easter, which has been monitored by my close friend Marion Lofthouse has given me a chance to play a sport which has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years.”
Tracey comes with a wealth of experience and an infectious passion for the game. She has represented England in two Commonwealth Games and two World Championships. The experienced shooter and attacker believes that despite her break from the sport and providing she stays physically fit, she still has plenty to offer Leeds and is keen to be involved with elite level Netball in the UK.
She added: “My involvement in netball has not made me ignorant to the coaches that have given up their time to help me achieve playing at elite level. During my career I have been fortunate to experience the world’s greatest coaches and assisting Anna at Leeds and with the elite level programme will mean that as a team we can deliver a huge part of our knowledge back into sport that has provided us with so much enjoyment.
“I was delighted for Anna in her new role as Director of Netball and Head Coach of the Superleague team at Leeds Carnegie as her dedication and commitment once as a player and now as a coach is without question. Over the many years I have known Anna she is always looking to strive for, and learn from the best. Her commitment to the England Development programme has gained her not only national but international experience, which will be a huge benefit in developing Leeds Carnegie.”
England Netball’s Superleague season starts on the 27th October with Leeds Carnegie’s first Home fixture against Northern Thunder.
Anna said: “We are delighted to have Tracey on board at Leeds Carnegie as she has tremendous knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be a top level athlete. It gives the aspiring players the opportunity to rub shoulders with a champion who has passion and determination to succeed which will provide them with an enviable learning opportunity.”
It has been a busy few weeks for Carnegie, with the exciting new appointment of Anna Newell as Director of Netball and Head Coach of the Superleague team. Anna has had an immediate impact on the Netball performance programme at Leeds Carnegie by ensuring athletes have a quality environment to pursue their sporting performance in Netball and grow as individuals.
The Leeds Carnegie Superleague squad for 2007- 2008 hold some exciting prospects, with a group of athletes who are determined to succeed and improve. Carnegie has worked hard over the summer to strengthen the squad, and the Netball programme throughout the whole University, and is equipped to contest for the Superleague title in the forthcoming season.
