Tracey Neville targeting more England Netball success at 2019 World Cup

Tracey Neville targeting more England Netball success at 2019 World Cup

Tracey Neville has been seeking lessons on serial winning from Sir Dave Brailsford as she bids to add to England Netball’s Commonwealth Games success in next year’s World Cup in Liverpool.

Head coach Neville led the Vitality Roses to Commonwealth Games gold in Australia in April and was invited to attend a seminar on leadership by Brailsford, who oversaw Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic cycling success before masterminding six Tour de France wins with Team Sky.

Neville was not prepared to name names, but she sought the advice of international and top team bosses across a range of nations and sports, including Premier League football managers, at the seminar in her bid to ensure her players’ Gold Coast success was not a one off.

Tracey Neville, centre, led England to Commonwealth Games netball gold
Tracey Neville, centre, led England to Commonwealth Games netball gold (Martin Rickett/PA)

“It’s very hard to get a losing team to win, so when you’re winning you’ve got to do everything to maintain that.

“You can’t expect to do the same thing over and over again and expect the same outcome.

“If people aren’t stepping up to the mark there’s got to be changes, different ideas.

“It’s about not taking our eye off the game.”

The experience of her elder brother Gary and twin brother Phil playing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United may also help.

Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year show saw England’s netball team crowned team of the year and receive the prize for greatest sporting moment of the year.

The latter prize, for Helen Housby’s goal in the last second in the 52-51 victory over Australia which secured Commonwealth gold, was voted for by the public.

“Looking at the teams we were up against, we didn’t believe it,” added Neville, referencing England’s footballers, Ireland’s rugby players and Europe’s Ryder Cup team, among others up for the team prize.

“Looking at the following they had and the impact they had, maybe we underestimated the impact we had. I was really shocked.

“The prestige of winning an event like that is huge for our sport.

“It’s such an honour. I’m emotional about it. And to get the public vote was just phenomenal.”

Tracey Neville and the England netball team were honoured with two prizes at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show
Tracey Neville and the England netball team were honoured with two prizes at Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year show (David Davies/PA)

“It was the first time our team had been together for that long for six months,” Neville added of Sports Personality.

“The day after the Commonwealth final, all our girls exited the athletes’ village at 9.30am and we didn’t see them again.

“To go to that event was a celebration. Winning such accolades come rarely in sport. You’ve got to be able to celebrate them.

“It doesn’t mask the fact we’re in training daily; we haven’t taken our foot off the pedal.”

Phil Neville's England women's football team are also in World Cup action in 2019
Phil Neville’s England women’s football team are also in World Cup action in 2019 (Nick Potts/PA)

“We did a culture day with the Lionesses and as a team we’re intrigued to see how they do,” Neville added.

“I’ll be a chief supporter and wishing they get that gold.

“Hopefully we can both perform at those tournaments and come out with the outcome we want.”

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –