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Sportsister meets England Netball coach Sue Hawkins

September 30, 2024

Sue Hawkins is England Netball’s new coach and is heading out to Australasia for her first test series in charge this autumn. Sportsister spoke to her about her role.

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Netball is one of the most popular sports in the world with over 20 million participants in more than 70 countries. In the UK alone, one million women play every week.

While it is a Commonwealth Games sport, it is not currently included in the Olympics, something which the netballing community here in the UK is aiming to change.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown indicated that he would like to see netball included in the 2012 programme as a showcase event and Eboni Beckford Chambers, one of the England team, has started a Facebook group to show support - it currently has over 18,000 members.

Tell me about why you think netball should be an Olympic sport?

From netball’s point of view to get into the Olympics would be like winning a gold medal.

We have been talking about it nationally for so long and now we have a huge opportunity here in the UK for this to actually come to fruition.

I know the government has spoken about its support of women’s sport and as netball is one of the biggest participation sports here in the UK, I think it is a really exciting proposal. From the players point of view they are really ready to showcase their sport.

What effect would its inclusion have on the sport at grass roots level here in the UK?

As you know role models are so important to the development of a sport, and it would certainly lift the profile of the sport in the UK, firstly with the media and secondly, with grass roots personnel. You become role models even more when you go to the Olympics because you get the higher profile.

A facebook group has been created to support the Olympic bid, it currently has 18,000 members are you surprised by this number?

No, not at all. I think Eboni (Beckford-Chambers who set up the group) is such a proactive young lady and being in the national squad as well she knows how fantastic the sport is and what capabilities we have got. For her to be so proactive like that even before the Co-Op (current sponsors of the league in the UK) came on board is amazing. But in terms of numbers I think that will double once the netball season gets going.

How long have you been the coach of England‘s netball team?

I arrived in April and my contract goes until the end of 2011. If netball does get through to the Olympics then I would certainly want to stay aboard and be a part of it all, I think it would be an amazing experience for me and the team.

You are heading out to Australia and New Zealand shortly for a test series. Do you think England will ever seriously challenge these two teams for the top two world rankings?

Absolutely. The experience of the girls going across to play in the Trans-Tasman competition and bringing that back to our league will be great. There is a real feel in this group that they want it now. I have been extremely impressed with their work ethic and the way that they inspire me.

I am really looking forward to working this group and I think that it won’t be England in that third position for too much longer.

As a coach you have to trust and believe in your team and that’s exactly what I do. It’s going to be a huge challenge but our players are not afraid of Australia and New Zealand now, where as years ago they may have been a little bit more tentative, now we’re ready for the challenge.

Who are the upcoming English players that you think we should be keeping an eye on in the series?

I would certainly be watching Sasha Corbin and Jo Harten, they are both great youngsters. These two will be a force in the future.

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How often does the national team get together to train?

They are training with me three times a week, in small groups, and then once a month we get together for an intensive training camp. So we will have at least six days prior to playing our first test match.

Because we have had groups of players overseas that are just coming back into the mix it has been quite difficult. But the girls are pretty switched on, most of them have worked together for a few years now and they know each other inside out.

How important do you think it is to get international players competing in this league?

I think it is important that international players respect our league and also feel the commitment of the sponsors of the competition. And the players want to be involved which is great. The only problem is that the competitions over there (Australia/New Zealand) start around the same time as we finish. So we just have to try and balance everything out and make sure everyone is satisfied.

The experience that our players gain from playing over there is very important for the development of the English players.

They are rubbing shoulders with the opposition, so it’s like they are working behind enemy lines!

What would you say to someone to encourage them to give netball a go?

If you are into team spirit and working with other people then it’s a great game for that because even though you have only got two people who can score it takes the whole team top get the ball down there.

It becomes a real family centre; my best friends over the past twenty years have been people I have played with, it’s a great social scene. Plus netballers have great legs!

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Look out for Sportsister’s upcoming interview with Eboni Beckford-Chambers

The Co-operative are backing the bid to make netball part of the Olympics. To show your support, log onto Facebook and join the group “Bid to get netball in the 2012 Olympics”.

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Sportsister meets England Netball coach Sue Hawkins

From netball’s point of view to get into the Olympics would be like winning a gold medal.

I am really looking forward to working this group and I think that it won’t be England in that third position for too much longer.

They are rubbing shoulders with the opposition, so it’s like they are working behind enemy lines!

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Sportsister meets England Netball coach Sue Hawkins

From netball’s point of view to get into the Olympics would be like winning a gold medal.

I am really looking forward to working this group and I think that it won’t be England in that third position for too much longer.

They are rubbing shoulders with the opposition, so it’s like they are working behind enemy lines!

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14 Comments

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