Former England star netball player Tracey Neville returned to school in Bolton recently, to inspire the next generation of netballers. Tracey delivered a netball masterclass as she shared the secrets to success with Year Six Junior girls at Bolton School.
Tracey was also the former England head netball coach, so she was well placed to put the girls through their paces. She led a series of challenging and fun drills, and then the girls played a netball match to put their new skills into practice, as The Bolton News reports.
Headteacher Carol Laverick said: “It was a fantastic session and a delight to welcome Tracey to our school. The girls were very excited and undoubtedly inspired to learn from an England legend.”
Bolton School has a history of inspiring its pupils to attain the highest levels of sporting achievement, with a number of former students distinguishing themselves at a national and international level.
In her playing days, Tracey was a member of the England teams that won bronze medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 1999 World Netball Championships. She won a total of 81 caps for England, before becoming manager and taking them to Commonwealth Gold on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Tracey got started in the world of coaching with Team Northumbria in 2011, before becoming director of netball at Superleague club Manchester Thunder. She became head coach for the England national team in September 2015, before stepping down in 2019.
Tracey is from a distinguished sporting family, as she is twin sister of the current England Lionesses manager Phil Neville, and sister to Manchester United legend Gary Neville. She was made an MBE for services to netball in 2016. Tracey now works as a motivational speaker and coach.