The England Netball Team has spent the morning training at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy prior to their final Quad series match against South Africa in Melbourne this Sunday 23rd September. 

After spending a two week training camp in New Zealand, where they played the Silver Furns and won 52-39, the England Roses went down to Australian Diamonds in Newcastle 52-47 in their first clash since the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

England goal keeper and New Collingwood Magpies recruit Geva Mentor says the Maribyrnong Sports Academy facilities are first class. “ I been here a few times before and I’m always happy to come here.  Maribyrnong is an easy place to get to, and it’s great having the sprung floors and all the facilities at hand.  Having the gym also helps our girls in rehab and not on the court, to continue their work with fantastic facilities all under the one roof. For me it’s also great to see the friendly smiles from the staff when you walk in. Everyone goes out of their way to make us comfortable, from bringing us bottles of water to sweeping the floors and making sure it’s already to go.”

For Geva, catching up with her England teammates again is a fun way end a very full year. “ It’s been a big year starting with the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast then a full season with the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Suncorp Super Netball Season.  So it’s nice to now re-join with these girls and reminisce on the season we have had.”

And as the Academy students start their term 3 holidays, Geva is set to embark on a break of her own after such a long year on the court. “ Finally I will get a break, with just the one game against South Africa to come I will get all of October off and I’m very excited about that.”

Maribyrnong Sports Academy has been host to many National Teams in the past including the Australian Diamonds, the England and Welsh Netball teams and the Australian Boomers.