University of Worcester Student Lucy Herdman Signs for Severn Stars
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
University of Worcester student Lucy Herdman has signed for Severn Stars.
The 23-year-old shooter will combine her studies with playing for Stars, a club where she previously played in the Under 21s.
Herdman, who plays in the England Nets team, nets being a variation on traditional netball, said: "I can't wait to start the Superleague season representing my local franchise. It's going to be an exciting season working with Stars' new Head Coach and players."
The student, who splits her time between her home town of Coventry and Worcester, has already completed a degree in Sport Development and Coaching at the University of Worcester and is currently studying for a Masters in Sports Coaching.
Herdman earned 16 caps for England Nets at Under 21 level, including the Under 21 World Championships 2016 in New Zealand, where the team came third. She now has 15 caps playing for England Nets Senior team, including the World Championships in South Africa this year, where the team placed third.
She moves to Stars, a joint franchise between the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire, from Celtic Dragons. Herdman will continue to play for the Worcester Reds team in the West Midlands Regional Premier League and for the University team. She has also played for the Worcester Wolves Ladies National League basketball team.
“I am looking forward to working with a new coach and exciting players, and thriving on the support from the fans,” she said. “I hope I can bring a different style to the shooting circle for the team. My basketball background makes my style of play unique with a slight flair to my game. My aim for this season is to continue developing my game, push for court time and help Stars finish in the top four.”
Herdman is on the University’s sports scholarship programme, giving her financial and academic support, as well as access to specialist lifestyle advice and help to fit in her studies around her sporting commitments. “Time management is the key to success,” she said about handling both. “But being able to fit in all of my Masters work and job as a netball coach at a school will be much easier this year due to training closer to home.”
Herdman joins a Stars line-up which so far includes New Zealand star Liana Leota, Welsh internationals Nia Jones, Bethan Dyke and Georgia Rowe, Paige Reed, Lucy Harris and Ella Powell-Davies.
Stars’ Head Coach, Melissa Bessell, said: “I am really happy to have Lucy on board this season. Lucy is a local girl and has been studying at University of Worcester for the past four years so this is not only important for development within our region but super exciting for Severn Stars. She has a tremendous amount of talent and I am really looking forward to working with her this season. This is a new look team and Lucy will be adding another exciting dimension to it.”