‘I hope to inspire others’
England netball captain Serena Guthrie has been reflecting on the legacy she desires when she finally decides to hang up her bib.
The Team Bath star, 31, has represented England since she was 18 and explained how her role as captain is to motivate those around her while also inspiring the next generation.
With a home Commonwealth Games fast approaching, Guthrie is leading the side during one of its most exciting periods.
And the Vitality Roses ace, who led her team to a 55-45 victory over Jamaica at London’s Copper Box Arena on Sunday in the Vitality Roses Reunited Series, said: “Obviously to win and get the results, that’s the ultimate dream.
“It would be great to be able to call ourselves double Commonwealth Games champions – an England team has never done that before. That’s the new challenge and I think after that, we just want to continue to grow and inspire girls and people who haven’t necessarily heard about netball, or know about netball, to get involved in the game.
“The Commonwealth Games is going to be a great opportunity to see what we can do and for people to see the sport.
“We speak a lot about legacy in the group and how everything that we do is a lot larger than just stepping out on the court.
“It’s about connecting with the fans to show just how professional and how amazing our sport is.
“It’d be great to be a part of a team or to be able to lead a team who are paving the way for young women and girls and boys that want to take netball more seriously and get more career pathways.
“And then be a part of that professionalisation of the sport, because that’s really the next step for netball domestically in this country as well.
“I suppose I’d like people to think of me as someone who gave absolutely everything and somebody who was able to inspire and motivate others and, as a captain, that’s all I’m ever trying to do: enjoy the journey and inspire and motivate my teammates.
“If I managed to inspire the next generation of young women and girls and boys and get them to try and achieve what they can achieve and understand their potential, then that’d be enough for me.”
For more information on England Netball’s new ‘Adventure Strategy’ or to find out how to get involved in netball in your area visit www.englandnetball.co.uk.