Lauren Steadman Selected for GB University Netball Squad |
|
Loughborough Lightning’s Lauren Steadman has been selected for GB Universities’ Netball Squad for their tour of South Africa.
|
Lauren who is originally from Derby has a number of summer camps with the GB team before heading off to South Africa.
Lauren will be tweeting her experiences and stories while in South Africa (follow her on: @steaders_1) but here is her netball story so far, told by the netballing superstar herself: My Netballing Career so far.... This summer is going to be one of the most exciting summers of my life. I have recently been selected for the Great British Universities team, set to tour South Africa at the end of June, competing in the World University Championships. This, inevitably, is my biggest achievement of my netball career to date. It’s occasions like this that encourage me to reflect on my experiences so far and to appreciate the opportunities I’ve had, which have enabled me to achieve a place on the BUCS GB Netball Team. |
|
I first started playing netball in 2002, at my Secondary School – Littleover Community School, Derby. Admittedly, I didn’t fall in love with the game straight away as I was brought up in a football-loving family and netball was completely new to me. It didn’t take me long to pick it up and start enjoying every game at school at Goal Keeper and Goal Defence. Within a year of playing I was selected for Derby City Netball squad and joined a local league club – Pennine Netball Club, which I am still involved in through playing and as a coach. The following year I progressed through to the Derbyshire Academy squad and in 2007 I developed even further, playing for the East Midlands Regional Academy.
2008 was an integral year in terms of my development and achievements as a netballer. I was selected for Loughborough Lightning’s youth team as a Goal Defence and England’s U19s Talent Squad as Wing Defence – my first introduction to this position. I was playing netball almost every day and along with monthly England Camps, was still playing Football for Derby County Ladies and not forgetting my A Level studies too of course!
I have been part of Loughborough Universities’ performance squad for the last two years, achieving BUCS Gold for the 2nd and 1st team. Last April, I played in the BUCS Home Nations Competition representing English Universities where we also won a Gold medal.
During this year’s (2011-2012) pre-season competition I was identified by an England Coach and invited to train with the England Excel programme. I had a hard start to the season, due to a serious foot injury. However, through working hard in recovery, I was fortunate enough to become a starting member of the squad in 5 out of the 6 appearances for Lightning in the Fiat Netball Superleague in my debut season for them, playing at Wing Defence and Centre.
My first experience as a part of the BUCS GB Squad was a successful one as we won the British Invitational tournament, and with two more training camps in the run up to South Africa we stand in good stead to face the World University Championships.
However, I did in fact go to University primarily for a degree. Whilst studying at Loughborough I have gained a BA in Leisure Management with Sport Development and a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching, both of which I really enjoyed. I have also completed my Netball Level 2 and Football level 1 coaching certificates. I love coaching and have coached mainly Netball across the East Midlands for Regional and County squads mostly the ones I used to play in. Summer 2012 marks the end of my degree in Leisure Management and Sports Development at Loughborough College, as well as the end of the best three years of my life – with netball playing a huge part.
In the immediate future I plan on training hard in preparation for the World University Championships. Following that I have a job at Uppingham School starting in September as a Graduate Sports Assistant. I look forward to next season with Loughborough Lightning and to continue to coach within the region and support our future athletes.
I would like to thank East Midlands Netball and Derbyshire Netball for supporting me through my development as a Netballer and for each providing me with £330 to cover the cost of the South Africa tour. I would also like to thank Loughborough College for their contribution.
I am currently documenting my journey from ‘camps to champs’, including all details about our training and everything that happens on tour. For more updates you can follow me on twitter - @steaders_1
Lauren
Lauren’s Achievements
Netball Achievements
2002-03 Taught to play at Littleover community school
2003-04 Derby City Squad
2003-now Pennine Netball Club
2004-07 Derbyshire County Squad
2007-08 East Midlands Regional Squad
2008-09 England U19 Talent Squad
2008-10 Loughborough Lightning NTL Squad
2009-10 Loughborough Students 2nd team
2008 was an integral year in terms of my development and achievements as a netballer. I was selected for Loughborough Lightning’s youth team as a Goal Defence and England’s U19s Talent Squad as Wing Defence – my first introduction to this position. I was playing netball almost every day and along with monthly England Camps, was still playing Football for Derby County Ladies and not forgetting my A Level studies too of course!
I have been part of Loughborough Universities’ performance squad for the last two years, achieving BUCS Gold for the 2nd and 1st team. Last April, I played in the BUCS Home Nations Competition representing English Universities where we also won a Gold medal.
During this year’s (2011-2012) pre-season competition I was identified by an England Coach and invited to train with the England Excel programme. I had a hard start to the season, due to a serious foot injury. However, through working hard in recovery, I was fortunate enough to become a starting member of the squad in 5 out of the 6 appearances for Lightning in the Fiat Netball Superleague in my debut season for them, playing at Wing Defence and Centre.
My first experience as a part of the BUCS GB Squad was a successful one as we won the British Invitational tournament, and with two more training camps in the run up to South Africa we stand in good stead to face the World University Championships.
However, I did in fact go to University primarily for a degree. Whilst studying at Loughborough I have gained a BA in Leisure Management with Sport Development and a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching, both of which I really enjoyed. I have also completed my Netball Level 2 and Football level 1 coaching certificates. I love coaching and have coached mainly Netball across the East Midlands for Regional and County squads mostly the ones I used to play in. Summer 2012 marks the end of my degree in Leisure Management and Sports Development at Loughborough College, as well as the end of the best three years of my life – with netball playing a huge part.
In the immediate future I plan on training hard in preparation for the World University Championships. Following that I have a job at Uppingham School starting in September as a Graduate Sports Assistant. I look forward to next season with Loughborough Lightning and to continue to coach within the region and support our future athletes.
I would like to thank East Midlands Netball and Derbyshire Netball for supporting me through my development as a Netballer and for each providing me with £330 to cover the cost of the South Africa tour. I would also like to thank Loughborough College for their contribution.
I am currently documenting my journey from ‘camps to champs’, including all details about our training and everything that happens on tour. For more updates you can follow me on twitter - @steaders_1
Lauren
Lauren’s Achievements
Netball Achievements
2002-03 Taught to play at Littleover community school
2003-04 Derby City Squad
2003-now Pennine Netball Club
2004-07 Derbyshire County Squad
2007-08 East Midlands Regional Squad
2008-09 England U19 Talent Squad
2008-10 Loughborough Lightning NTL Squad
2009-10 Loughborough Students 2nd team
