University Netballers to Represent England at World Series

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Lucy Herdman, who is a first year Sports Development and Coaching student, will play for the under 21 squad, while Natalie Miller, who graduated in 2012 will be part of the senior squad.

Their selection follows a number of recent successes in netball at the University of Worcester; the University's 1st team last month beat Newcastle to gain promotion into the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) premier division, after also winning the BUCS National Trophy a month earlier.

In addition, the University's 2nd team were also League winners and cup finalists; the third team were League winners and semi-finalists in the cup, and the 4th team were second in the League and quarter-finalists.

The World Series will take place in New Zealand from August 20-27.

Lucy, aged 20 and from Coventry, said: "It has been a dream of mine to represent my country since I started playing the sport when I was nine. To achieve this is just an incredible feeling."

Natalie, an Assistant Teacher and Sports Coach at Hurstpierpoint College in her home county, Sussex, added: "I can't wait until the day I am wearing my England dress in New Zealand. Hard work pays off and I hope I am proving to all the children I coach and to young athletes out there, that there are opportunities for female athletes to excel."

Both Lucy and Natalie represented the University's 1st team " Lucy was part of the current champion side, while Natalie was captain during her time at Worcester.

Natalie, aged 25, who studied Sports Studies and Physical Education at the University, said: "The University of Worcester prepared me for the training that is to come and I think it only shows how great the University is and how elite the netball is at Worcester to have produced two England netball players from their society."

Netball is the largest female sport club at the University, with four teams and levels of recreational, development and performance netball. There are also elite opportunities for students to play with top flight Worcester Reds Netball Club.

The University also has a track record of hosting national and international netball events including the Netball Super League Final and an England and South Africa International Fixture, at the University of Worcester Arena.