World bronze is parting gift for coach Neville
IT WAS not the colour they had hoped for, but the England Roses ensured they left the World Cup with a medal by putting on a confident display yesterday to win bronze. Yet amid the ecstasy and exhaustion after beating South Africa, there was an undeniable feeling in the Roses camp that this was the end of an era for England Netball. Tracey Neville confirmed afterwards that this 58-42 win was, as expected, her last match as head coach, while a number of senior players hinted they are considering retirement. ‘It is my last one for the moment, I do need to take a career break,’ said Neville, who wants to start a family. ‘I have some personal things I want to achieve and while I am in this role I am not able to achieve that. However, I have been part of this system for 20 years and I want to be part of that again. ‘I don’t know what capacity that is going to be in, because hopefully the next coach that comes in takes the baton and continues this rollercoaster.’ Among the players expected to retire are England’s most-capped player Jade Clarke and the oldest member of the squad, 36-year-old Rachel Dunn. Although no player was willing to give a firm answer on their future yesterday, Geva Mentor said: ‘I’m definitely going to take a little bit of a break. I’m still enjoying playing netball Down Under. We’ll see if the body holds up.’ England’s captain Serena Guthrie also suggested her future is uncertain, saying she had decisions to make after a ‘big four years’. Less than 24 hours after an agonising two-goal defeat by New Zealand, England bounced back well to secure their spot on the podium. Jo Harten, who scored 29 of England’s goals, said: ‘It was important to win for Tracey today. She got thrust into this job four years ago. ‘It wasn’t the ideal scenario in which to take on the job. She’s been a force to be reckoned with on the international stage and she deserves a break.’ New Zealand ended Australia’s 12-year reign as world champions with a thrilling 52-51 win to claim their first title since 2003. The Silver Ferns led by six goals midway through the first quarter, but had to withstand a fightback from their big rivals before holding their nerve as the clock ticked down.