Netball Down Under - a player's perspective

Netball is growing massively at our festivals - so much so that we have set up our new brand NetballRocks! We have been chatting to England Netball and West Coast Fever star Eboni Beckford-Chambers finding out about her life down under - here is her guest blog:


"It has been just over 5 weeks since I arrived in Perth and I can safely say that I have fully embraced the Aussie lifestyle! The time has really flown by since I left my family and friends standing at the airport to embark on an 18 hour flight to what I deemed the relatively unknown. I was filled with mixed emotions i.e. excitement at joining a new franchise and playing semi professional Netball in a league that harbours the best players in the world; apprehensive about moving a million miles away from my home/ familiarity; sad as I was leaving my mum, BF, family/ friends behind. However, in hindsight I had nothing to worry about!

Eboni in action for England

The girls and staff at the West Coast Fever have really looked after me and aided my transition into Perth life! I've had to adjust quickly to the heat as we have been through a 42 degree heatwave, embrace the Aussie patriotism on Australia Day, devour kangaroo, explore and surf the picturesque beaches, conduct the beep test with a gas mask and get used to the intense daily training regime.

Caitlin Bassett and Nikala Smith, the two girls that I am living with are fantastic. They have really welcomed me into their home which has really put me at ease. Caitlin even came to my rescue when I screwed the wrong parts of my IKEA bed together even though I was 'following the manual' which caused great bouts of laughter. So all in all I have learned that there are no deadly snakes, kangaroos or spiders in the immediate vicinity and that Perth is easy living, 'it'll get done when it gets done' ;-) (very similar attitude to that of the Jamaicans - so I think I'll fit in nicely!).

The 'buzz', confidence and pure enthusiasm within the team definitely makes me feel like that we are going to have a really competitive season! The training is very physical, mentally and emotionally enduring. The style of netball is much more intense than in England. There is a lot of focus on accuracy and precision of key basic skills accompanied by a mentality that nothing short of being the best is good enough. But I can feel myself getting quicker, faster and fitter each week. Our coach, Norma Plummer, for whom I was initially awestruck hasn't earned her the title of being 'The Best Coach in the World' by being a pushover :-).

The support that I have had from my closest family, friends has been immense! In addition the media coverage that I have received has been really positive! The media is very much involved in the 'Netball World' in Australia and it is very much widespread from the newspapers, radio stations, local/ national news broadcasts, social media etc. The West Australian media in particular have really got behind the team and are generating further support and promoting the game as we move towards the ANZ Championship season. I have also received several messages on Facebook and Twitter (@EboniBChambers) from netball lovers who are really looking forward to seeing what this season holds especially for the Fever! I am loving every minute that I am in Perth and I am fully embracing what I consider to be an opportunity of a life time! With 6 weeks to go until the start of the ANZ competition I am hoping the experience will get even better!"


We will be following Eboni's progress with much interest over the next few month's and wish her all the best!

Until next week,

Andy