England vs Jamaica Series Looms Large

With less than a year to go before they attempt to defend their Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham, the England netball team face a tough home challenge against Jamaica, starting this month.

The Caribbean side will face the Roses in three games, beginning with a fixture on November 28th at London’s Copperbox Arena. The sides will then meet twice at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, on December 4th and 5th.

Fans will no doubt travel from all over England to see the matches and many will be inspired to play more themselves. Fans in the north of England could take up Manchester netball classes to seek o emulate local stars like former England player and then coach Tracey Neville, sister of former Manchester United footballers Phil and Gary.

The Jamaica series had been scheduled for earlier this year, but had been postponed due to Covid restrictions. However, both sides will find the matches invaluable as they look to tune up ahead of the Games in Birmingham.

Performance Director at England Netball David Parsons said: “We are delighted to be getting our national team back on court for fans to see whilst giving our players and coaching team vital time together.” 

It is not just the upcoming matches or the big event next year that may help bring new players and fans into the sport. Efforts are also being made to make the sport more socially diverse.

Earlier this month, the Ilford Recorder reported on how Ziana Butt, who became the first player of Pakistani heritage to play for England in 2019 when she represented the under-19s, has co-authored a book with her mother Niala, aimed at getting more south Asian girls into the sport.

Aisha’s Netball is the story of a girl who wins a netball at school and follows her journey into joining a netball club and discovering a whole new world of fun.

It’s a world many girls in Manchester and elsewhere can discover for themselves in real life.