Summer to shine again after injury nightmare
Teen out of action for 20 months with ruptured ligament
IT HAS been a long road, but Brunel University netball starlet Summer Artman is back after 20 months out and has her eyes set on securing a place at the World Youth Championships.
Artman suffered a full rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament which resulted in 17 months on the sidelines and 20 months out of competitive action.
The 18-year-old has now returned to action though and two months ago earned a spot in the England U21s training squad and has been working with the Hertfordshire Mavericks ahead of the Superleague season starting in January.
But Artman, who also has arthritis and other knee problems, stressed just being back on the court is her biggest achievement in 2015.
“It was definitely a rocky road getting back, but I feel strong and good back on the court,” she said.
“I had my first game three weeks ago so I’m well into the swing of training and playing and I need to sustain my season so I can last the season.
“To be honest, just getting back on court and being fit and strong is the biggest achievement I could have asked for at this point.”
Artman is studying psychology at Brunel University and is part of the netball team which tops the Premier South division.
She is currently waiting to hear if she has made the Mavericks squad for the Superleague and has an important year ahead as the teenager looks to book her place at the World Youth Championships in Botswana in July 2017.
Artman added: “I am trying out for the Mavericks squad so hopefully I can make it and that will be a big achievement if I do get in.
“The Super League is the biggest thing in the netball calendar and it starts at the end of January. That is what we have been training together for as a squad.
“Long term I am working towards the World Youth Championships. I hope other opportunities arrive once I get stronger and play more because I have only just got back so I can’t overload myself too much yet, but as I get more comfortable playing and get fitter and stronger then I hope different senior opportunities will arrive, like they were before I got injured.
“That will happen as and when, but at the moment the only thing I am focussed on is the World Youth Championships.”