Worcester Student named in England U21s Squad Heading to Australia in New Year
Thursday, 19 December 2024
A University of Worcester student has been named in the England U21s Netball squad ahead of their tour of Australia in January.
During the tour, Issy Eaton, a 3rd year PE and Sports Coaching student, will compete in a Tri-Series against Australia and New Zealand, facing each nation three times over three weeks.
This is the first tour for the former Severn Stars Goal Shooter after she was selected for the 2024-25 Roses Academy in September.
The Academy is the England Netball Player Pathway which supports young athletes on their journey towards being potential England internationals.
Issy said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out; it was such exciting news.”
She continued: “To hear that I’d made it back into the programme back in September was big enough news for me and to then find out I’d be travelling to Australia in January was just incredible.”
Issy has represented England previously, having played at Under 21 level in Europe.
She said: “It feels amazing. It’s always nice to put the red dress on and represent England.”
She added: “Some of the Australia girls play in the professional league out there so to be able to challenge ourselves and play against some of the best in the world is just amazing. I’m going to gain and learn so much while I’m out there.”
Issy is looking forward to spending time with her family over Christmas, but said the hard work will begin straight away: “I’ll be training on my own and it’ll be pretty full on. I’ll be in the gym keeping my fitness up, but it will be nice to go home and spend some time with my family.”
Issy is in her final year of university, and has worked hard to balance her netball and studying. She said: “To be training and playing as much as I am is quite difficult, but the University has been absolutely brilliant in supporting me, they honestly couldn’t have done any more.”
She added: “My personal academic tutor has been there for me since my first year at university, and she just gets me. She’s there when I need her, and because I’m doing a sports course the lecturers all understand my commitments and they’re all really good at supporting me.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk