England netball head coach Tracey Neville is hoping her side can reach the podium at next month’s Commonwealth Games but recognised today that one mistake will mean elimination.
Neville won bronze as a player in Kuala Lumpur as netball became a Commonwealth sport.
Twenty years on, Neville is seeking to guide her Roses team to the podium, but competition is stiff.
New Zealand, Malawi and Uganda are likely to challenge England in Pool B for the top two spots and qualification for the semi-finals.
Wales and Scotland — England’s first opponents — are also in Pool B, while sharp-shooters Australia, South Africa and Jamaica are in Pool A.
England will hope to benefit from the experience of Geva Mentor, who is playing at her fifth Commonwealth Games and was the star player in the Australian league in 2017.
“Looking at form and going into the competition, our biggest challenges are New Zealand, Uganda and Malawi,” she added.
“We’ve got to be on the ball. You get one opportunity or you’re eliminated. You can’t go back and have another shot at it, which you can in a test series.”
Neville comes from a family of sporting excellence, where sibling bragging rights must be difficult to come by. Her twin brother Phil is now England Women’s football manager while their older brother Gary won numerous titles with Manchester United, as did Phil.
On helping Phil in his new role, Tracey admitted the pair have barely had a chance to talk since his appointment due to his team’s involvement in the SheBelieves Cup and the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“I think it’s a conversation that we will have when we can find at least 10 minutes to sit down,” Tracey said.
“But we’re not [just] coaches, we’re brother and sister.”
Tracey, England netball head coach since 2015, has worked informally with Football Association coaches in the past and hopes the relationship continues.
The 41-year-old added: “I do think within invasion sports there’s an important crossover.
“And if you can learn from other sports and other coaches, it’s one of the greatest experiences you can have to make you better in your job.”
Phil’s elevation to the top job in women’s football in January was met with surprise by many and he had to deny he was sexist and apologised for historic social media posts which were derogatory to women.
Tracey was reluctant to talk about Phil’s job but more than willing to discuss her own.
“If you enjoy your job, you love your job, you never have to work. That’s the way I feel,” she added.
“I’m passionate about the Roses. It’s such an honour and it is quite emotional.
“I just want to do the job well, all of what’s expected of me in the role.”
