Tamsin on NSL 2.0

Tamsin has posted this on her Facebook about the changes to the league.

Well today is a big day. So I just thought I’d try and share some thoughts. 

I made my international debut in front of thousands at the NIA in Birmingham. That was 2004 – the same year I played and won my first ever NSL final for Bath however that was played in a leisure centre in Blackpool in front of about 100 spectators. So much has changed since then, but sadly as a league we were still not quite there.

I learnt how to play the game @teambathnetball_ I learnt how to coach and commercialise the sport @surreystorm and I was given a huge international opportunity @netballscotland @sirens.netball 

Therefore I get it, they were a huge part of my own journey, I love the clubs, people, fans and memories. I get how some will feel today, I get how frustrating, scary, unfair this will seem. But I do truly believe in the bigger picture. Always. And moving into a new era for our sport is essential for young women to grow up knowing they can actually be netballers…

professionalisation means that in every sense of the word. Venues, salaries, competition. The product has to look right, it has to have financial backing and it has to be sustainable. to be one of the best leagues in the world means taking steps that were bold and brave and that could take us to the next level.

I know today was about the new league but please note that behind the scenes the pathway and development is still forefront of this journey. I’ve loved my role in the pathway this season and can’t wait to continue this and help develop the next generation, I know all clubs will be the same.

I guess my final plea, is that as a sport we can’t do this without the support of the netball family. So once the dust settles I hope we all make this happen. We pack arenas, we watch ALL the games next season and WE change the game and the future for our female sport.

We get one shot to make this happen and so I’ll be jumping 2 footed in as usual, giving it my all to help build something special.