HOW I GOT HERE: GEVA MENTOR
The netball star discusses her unlikely path and remarkable story
Netball was not my first choice – of sport or career. My friends played for the school team and they got to leave lessons early to travel to matches. I thought missing class and hanging out with my friends sounded great, so to this day I still say netball found me rather than I found it!
I STARTED PLAYING FOR FUN, BUT THE CAMARADERIE
KEPT ME ON THE COURT. Sharing the highs and lows of those around me and being part of a team is still what drives me. I was scouted for the England Under-17s team at age 14.
IN 2001, I WAS PLAYING IN A TOURNAMENT AGAINST OTHER UK TEAMS WHEN I WAS ASKED TO HAVE A TRIAL FOR THE SENIOR ENGLAND SIDE. Even though I was 14, I was mature for my age and the coaching team saw potential in me. Eager to push my skills in an elite environment, I joined the England national team aged 15 and I haven’t looked back. I feel lucky to have found my dream career so early in my life.
I’VE PLAYED FOR TEAMS ABROAD AS WELL AS FOR ENGLAND AND I NOW LIVE IN AUSTRALIA. I was proud to be captain of Sunshine Coast Lightning there in 2017 and 2018, and I’m now captain of the Collingwood Magpies, as well as playing for the Vitality Roses England team. It’s pretty tight fitting in all of my matches on opposite sides of the world!
WINNING GOLD IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES FOR ENGLAND
LAST YEAR WAS A STANDOUT MOMENT. That medal was a first in team history. Then we won Team of the Year and Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. These were particularly poignant as they were voted for by the public.
AT THE END OF 2018, I WAS HONOURED WITH A CBE FROM THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO NETBALL. I’ve been named World’s Best Netballer twice, but this really blew me away. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be recognised with a CBE. You cannot achieve anything in this sport without those around you and this is for my family, and for netball.
THINGS HAVEN’T ALWAYS GONE SMOOTHLY AND IN 2016
I FACED AGEISM. I was 32 and I admit I wasn’t playing my best netball. Most players retire in their 30s and people wanted me to move into a mentoring role. There was no way I was accepting that, and it gave me the fire in my belly to prove everyone wrong. Two years later, at 34, I was part of that Commonwealth win. I’m determined to prove that age is just a number.
NETBALL IS MY FULL-TIME PROFESSION, BUT I’M ALSO
TRAINING TO BECOME A TEACHER. Women in sport are becoming able to live off what they earn, but it’s rarely enough to build towards a future. Athletes’ competing years are numbered, so we’re always planning ahead. I was inspired by visiting schools during programmes to get kids active and I hope to empower the next generation, just as my own teachers motivated me.
TRAINING FOR THE NETBALL WORLD CUP IN LIVERPOOL WAS
TOUGH ON MY BODY, and the months in the run-up to the tournament were difficult both mentally and physically. Whatever the score, it’s about leaving a legacy and inspiring those around us. We truly feel the nation is always right behind us and I’d like to think I’ll still be on the netball court for a few more years yet.
‘SHARING THE HIGHS AND LOWS WITH MY TEAM IS WHAT DRIVES ME’