The Vitality Roses will once again each have the names of inspirational individuals printed on their kit for the Netball Quad Series, as part of the Vitality Netball International Series.
The initiative, driven by Vitality, is all about acknowledging and celebrating the everyday men and women who’ve supported the players on their netball journeys to date.
Captain Serena Guthrie wanted to use this opportunity given by Vitality to pay tribute to her friend, Ben Weatherly.
“He’s a mate who’s been battling a rare lymphoma disease since last year,” she said. “He’s one of my best boy mates and a true inspiration regarding his mindset in fighting for his life.
“He’s a bit of a legend and a big supporter of me since sixth form when I met him. It’s a dedication to the values that both he and the Vitality Roses represent.”
Meanwhile, Jade Clarke has chosen to celebrate her former coach Mike Greenwood.
“He brought me to Oldham Netball Club and gave me so many opportunities to thrive,” she said. “He was a huge support to me and my family and always believed in me.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without Mike. I have so many amazing memories growing up playing for Oldham Netball Club. He created an amazing legacy, and we all miss him very much.”
Zara Everitt, who has received her first senior call-up, has opted to have her mum’s name, Justine Everitt, on her dress.
“My mum has continually inspired me to keep training and working hard,” she said. “She has sacrificed countless hours driving me to and from netball, reassuring me through difficult times with injury, and always making sure that I have everything I need to play at my best.
“I will always be grateful for my mum’s willingness to sit in the car for hours while I train, and then listen to me talk about netball all the way home! I wouldn’t be where I am today without her constant love and support.”
Other Vitality Roses’ inspirational people:
| Imogen Allison – Teresa Allison (mum) | Eleanor Cardwell – Michelle Cardwell (mum) | Beth Cobden – Patricia Cobden (mum) | Sophie Drakeford-Lewis – Suzanne Drakeford-Lewis (mum) |
| George Fisher – Tracey Fisher (mum) | Stacey Francis-Bayman – Sheila Perks MBE (coach) | Layla Guscoth – Caroline Key (PE teacher) | Helen Housby – Sidney Housby (dad) |
| Laura Malcolm – Mark Malcolm (dad) | Geva Mentor – Yvonne Mentor and Dan-Dan (mum and grandad) | Natalie Metcalf – Paula Haythornthwaite (mum) | Eboni Usoro-Brown – Pauline Beckford (mum) |
From teachers who sparked a love of netball to parents and guardians who have dedicated and continue to dedicate evenings and weekends to supporting their children, there are countless individuals within the Netball Family having a positive impact on others’ lives – sometimes without even realising the extent of the difference they’re making!
That’s why we want you to share whose name would be on your kit and you’ll have the chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to one day of the Vitality Netball Superleague Season Opener (5 and 6 February at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham).
To enter, simply comment whose name would be on your netball kit and why on the ‘celebrating netball inspirations with Vitality’ post on England Netball’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Entrants must be aged 18 or over and you can only enter once. The competition closes at 17:00 on Thursday 20 January with the winning entrants drawn at random and contacted by 17:00 on Friday 21 January.
Full terms and conditions of the competition can be viewed here.
To book tickets to see the Netball Quad Series in London, click here.
Make sure you’re following England Netball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest Vitality Roses news and content.
For more information about our title partner Vitality, click here.
