Nat Metcalf, the Manchester Thunder mid-courter, has been announced as the captain who will lead the England netball team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer. England will be defending their title, after winning the gold medal at the Games in Australia in 2018.
The England team defeated the world champions Australia in the last moments of the final in Queensland on the Gold Coast in 2018, with Helen Housby scoring the match winner. This is the England team’s greatest achievement to date, as netball is not yet an Olympic sport, and the Commonwealth competition is regarded as the top level of attainment.
Nat Metcalf is well used to success, as she has been a key member of the Vitality Netball Superleague winners Manchester Thunder. She also has previous experience of captaining England.
Nat told Sky Sports: “Growing up I always wanted to play for England and being asked to captain the team is more than I ever could have imagined. I feel truly honoured to have been asked and I hope to do everyone proud.”
She added: “To get the chance to represent Team England at home in front of our amazing fans is so exciting. Having the opportunity to wear the red dress for England is always an honour and I can’t wait to see what we can do as a team together in Birmingham.”
Helen Housby, who scored the winning goal in the last Commonwealth final, is also in the team, alongside six other players from the 2018 squad. Jo Harten will be vice-captain, and some players, including Eleanor Cardwell, Layla Guscoth, and Sophie-Drakeford Lewis, will be making their commonwealth debut.
The Commonwealth Games open in Birmingham on 28 July, and run until 8 August. The netball events will be hosted at the NEC Arena.
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