Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to a very long awaited Swannie Spotlight! These last few months have been a bit crazy for everyone but we are back with a new Swannie under the Spotlight! We hope you enjoy reading about one of our U19 South Region players, Abi!

What are your playing positions?
I play WA and C!

What is your netballing background?
I started netball in Year 5 by joining the ‘Perins Pups’ netball club and was an avid goal defence! I was then told about a club called Swan Netball Club and my Dad encouraged me to go as I didn’t really want to. However, I quickly discovered that I loved it, and that I didn’t have the height for defence! After a few years in the club I was put forward for Satellite trials and was rejected and so enjoyed another year of club netball. In year 9, I trialled for the U16 South Regional team and for County and was accepted into both! Over this year I learned to really think about my game and improved hugely whilst also enjoying every minute. For the next season, I trialled for the U19s South Regional Team and was delighted to get in. I then went to Team Bath netball trials and was unsuccessful but was accepted into a Surrey Storm Hub. However, I was then given a second opportunity to trial for Team Bath and was successful! I decided that the Team Bath franchise was where I wanted to be and so began training in one of the hubs. I was then put forward to train with the U17 National Premier League (NPL) squad but this was cut short by lockdown. However, last week I went to trial for the U17 NPL long squad and was successful! I am now training in the Swan U19 South Regional team, the Peter Symonds netball team and the Team Bath U17 long squad.

How did you get into Team Bath?
I was actually firstly rejected at the main hub trials at Bath University, but fortunately I was then invited by Sonja Payne, head coach of one of the hub’s at Team Bath Academy for a trial there. Upon trials evening there were other coaches also conducting the selection, to which I was successful! I was extremely proud and happy to have been selected.

Who is your inspiration?
My inspiration is Serena Guthrie, not only because she is a phenomenal centre but because her attitude towards netball is one where enjoying the sport is priority. I understood this after being lucky enough to meet her for a training session at Sparsholt College last year!

What are your aspirations after college?
After college my aim is to go to University to potentially study chemistry which would have been a shock to me a year ago! I also aspire to keep up my netball, hopefully staying in a franchise but above all having fun!

Who has kept you motivated throughout this last year?
The past year has been difficult for so many people for so many reasons and so keeping motivated was definitely a challenge. I think the effort from all of the coaches at swan to put on zoom fitness (and dance) sessions was what helped me to stay on top of everything!

What do you most enjoy about Swan Netball Club?
Swan Netball Club has been a huge part of my life for over 7 years. It is hugely supportive and has a family like environment. What I have loved the most is that it has given me the confidence in myself and in my abilities to trial for teams I would never even have considered!

Thank you to Abi for participating in our section of the Swannie Spotlight! We hope you have enjoyed reading about another one of our wonderful club members.