Carnegie still strong says Shaw

Carnegie Netball currently sit in seventh place in the FIAT Netball Superleague. TASS scholar Rachel Shaw gives her thoughts on the season so far and looks ahead to the forthcoming matches in March including the fixture against Surrey Storm.

Rachel said: "Surrey Storm are a very strong outfit but with this being our second encounter against them this season, I feel we will step on the court with a strong approach, with more knowledge and understanding on not only their game but are own too, leaving the away team to step up to the challenge!

"It will definitely be a different game with it being at home and i feel we are a very strong team on home turf, we have a lot to show case as a team and we have the ability and skill to take these higher ranking teams. We are definitely a team to look out for and should not be underestimated.

"Yes it has been a tough season but I don't feel that our losses have affected us in a bad way. The loses can only make us stronger and we have learnt a lot from them, which we are now taking into our forthcoming games and Surrey will be a main game to come back on! In the games we have experienced so far, we have shown flashes of high class performances and nailed set plays and that only busts us to do more. We are a young team and we are learning with every game. As a team the mood in camp is mint and we are all ready for the second half of the season.

"Being a Carnegie player is an honour and every time I put that Leeds dress on and step out on to the court I feel proud to be representing Leeds Carnegie and I am sure that's the same across the team. With all the hard work Anna Carter has put in to the team, enhancing individual performances it is amazing when you think that she has developed this team from grass roots and we are improving more and more.

Lisa Ferneyhough has also had a huge input coming off the court to a coaching role and has made a positive impact so we can only move up and onwards. With this being my first year at the university making me a full time Carnegie player following the day to day netball programme has had a huge positive impact on my performance which I hope to carry on developing.

"Being a TASS athlete has given me huge benefits such as extra income to help with my travel expenses from different netball venues and helped me buy kit and trainers. It has also helped me health wise with physiotherapy treatment keeping me fit and well enabling me to continually go out onto court to compete. TASS has been a great system to access and be part of and I appreciate it a lot, I would like to say thanks for all the support."