The Netball Show
S7 Ep74: Jodie Gibson (03rd Oct 2024)
(upbeat music) - Hi, this is Nat Metcalf. Flyhawk have developed a unique 3D kit designer that's fully customizable. So if you're looking for a new kit for your team for the new season, visit flyhawk.com or email info@flyhawk.com with your ideas now. - Nation Player is the easy to use, one-stop radio and audio app. Download Nation Player now on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Nation Player, where on are you? - The net will show with Flyhawk. Raising the bar for netball and winning sports. (upbeat music) - Netball show with Flyhawk delighted as always the speaker, Jordy Gibson, Jordy, Ruffler Lightning Player now. Have you got your official number? - So I'm actually going back to Luffler Lightning. So I played in Luffler Lightning in 2011. I joined 2012 when I went to university in Luffler. So I'm going back to Luffler Lightning. So I actually need to find out what my number is. I know my number, but don't remember it right now. So that's really bad. I should have caught it like that. - Well, that'd be good when you find out a chance to get back to playing for Lightning again. And I suppose everybody was all out of contract last season, weren't they? So what was that whole sign in window like this time around? - So it's probably a little bit different for me because at the end of last season, I made the decision to relocate back to Manchester. And the reason I was relocating was because I'm a teacher and I was working at an incredible boarding school in Offlander and at that time, it meant that the school was getting bigger more boarding pupils. And the question was that I had to give the school more to more of my time. Or could I give the school more of my time? And I just couldn't. So I felt like it was the right time then to relocate home. And I wasn't sure whether that meant that was the end of my netbook career or whether that meant that I was able to explore options of course. So when the contract window opened and I got the off-road, I was so excited. So for me, yeah, it felt a little bit different. I wasn't, I guess I didn't know what to expect, but I'm so happy with what the outcome has been for me. - The way that Mav's announced it, obviously yourself and obviously George are leaving as well at the similar kind of time, it was to be respected the way it was just handled and the let everybody know. - Really? I've got a really acknowledge Camilla Buchanan and the teammates I was with my breaks are London Mavericks now. They were incredible. Camilla, I spoke to Camilla her earlier in the season. When I had to, 'cause I'm a teacher, I had to try and find a new job. It's up north around March time. So I spoke to Camilla earlier in the season to let her know what my decision was. And we had a really nice conversation. She really understood it. And I've got so much respect for Camilla. And then when it was time getting towards end of the season, she was a person that kind of gave me a gentle nudge and was like, I think it's time to tell the volunteers, tell the fans, tell the team that you were moving on. And the way they did it was incredible. They gave me my moment to say bye to the franchise, both on social media and in that final game. And they did exactly the same for George Elise. And I think our decisions were made very differently. I think George just got married, which is incredible. And for her, she was probably thinking about what's next in life. And I think for me, I was kind of on that middle ground of thinking, well, what's next for life? But also, could I still play? Because I loved this sport. I wasn't really to give it up. But I felt like if it meant that that was the end of my career, I'd be so happy what I've achieved. And I felt really fulfilled by netball. So I thought, if that's the end, then that's the end. But I'm so happy it's not the end. We obviously know about your time at Thunder and stars where you were the first ever signing. Mavericks, obviously, as well. But maybe not lightning. Where is your first team? So I'm a Manchester girl. So I came through the Northern Thunder, which is now Manchester Thunder pathway. What was your connection with lightning first of all? Lightning. When I decided to go to the university, it was-- I then played for the Luff Lightning franchise. So, gosh, it was Hannah Joseph, myself. Girls like James Forbes Watley, Rachel Malloy. There was loads of girls that played at that time at Fika Morris, who she was a Jamaican international. So many girls that could talk about that was in that franchise at that time. But Luff Lightning, back then, Rebecca James, Corin Manchin, Rebecca James. Gosh, he is a legend of Luff Lightning back in the day. Luff back at that time was probably-- was a very different franchise. And I didn't necessarily appreciate the World Cup facilities and everything else, because I was a young 18-year-old girl. Just really excited to be one playing netball, but two offs about university and any embrace and all what comes of university. So I'm really looking forward to going back to that environment and actually really kind of grabbing hold of every opportunity with two hands, whether it's the World Cup facilities, the incredible World Cup coaching, and everything that comes with the players. But yeah, as I said, it was different back there. Luff Lightning would be-- when I was there back in 2011-2012, we were fighting for the bottom of the table against teams like Team Northumbia. And the young girls were quite inexperienced. We were all very young, because it was-- did retain the girls that were at university. So, an after university, girls would then go back to their home franchise, whether it's Manchester, where it would be Surrey, whether it would be another franchise. So at that time, yeah, they were kind of fighting for that 7th and 8th spot for being totally honest. And those netballs funds, I remember those days, they'll remember that Luff Lightning team. And then years later, they recruited in fantastic players like Peace Bascovia and more incredible players. And then the franchise just built to what it is now. And my goodness, it says, it's a kind of a concern, lip-air feeling, all those incredible coaches that have been before have really changed the landscape of the franchise. They did an incredible job, and I'm just so excited to return to that. Let's have a quick look at some of the new teams. Obviously Birmingham Panthers spoken to Joe, and she said that she's got three Gabbies in a team, which is a bit of a first. It's going to be exciting to see what she brings to the league, and obviously, she's got a lot of the players that were playing under a stars. So that'd be exciting. Yeah, guys, Gabbie, in every third of the call, I cannot wait to see what it looks like for Joe Tripp. Look, Joe Tripp, for me, is one of the most informed coaches in this league. She has had the best start to coaching career that any coach would wish for. Two times recognized as Coach of the Year. And that's not just because she got to talk for us, because everyone is recognizing what she's been in, how she's announced to transform players, how she's been able to really import her imprint onto the league. And it's been fantastic. So I really look forward to that team. And she's, because of what she achieved, she's been able to recruit in the likes of Gabbie Sinclair and the defensive Gabbie. I'm not familiar with who she is and how she plays. But I can't wait to see these new Australian imports that are coming into our league. I'm really excited to see how they play, what they bring to our league, and the level in which they'll just keep elevating our league. Last time, somebody told me off for abbreviating Nottingham Forest to not forest. So moving forward, not in the forest. What are your thoughts on Chelsea, obviously, vastly experienced, what's she going to bring to the role over in Nottingham? Chelsea's parents, yeah, as you said, she's going to be a wealth of experience as a player. But I also think you can't not acknowledge that, yeah, she's been a player. She's been a world-class player. She's played in all the leagues around the world. She's played, she's been, it's a Commonwealth God medalist for not just England but Australia. She's a World Cup athlete. She's incredible. And you can't knock what she's been able to retain from all these world-class coaches from Trace Neville to the Oklahoma club, to all these coaches that she's worked with, done right in the recent years. And she's going to bring all that knowledge. And she's going to bring it to that team. So I'm really excited. And being a team at Chelsea, knowing Chelsea well, she's got a fantastic network, right? I know she's going to be really excited to start to operate like that for three. I'm really excited to put that on to the players that she's recruited, because she's recruited really well. And I'm really excited to see what she's going to do with that franchise. To right, you have been in the team with Chelsea. With that gold medal. Are you like, every time you walk past it? Hey, how are you? (laughing) How did you know? I'm happy. Working closely with Alice and Shadine as well, that's going to be a fantastic opportunity for you as part of Lightning Squad in 2025. It is, yeah. I am really, I really admire both Alice and Shadine. Shadine's been someone that I've admired her work for years, even before she was in an Apple Super League. I've known, oh no, she played for some stuff, didn't she? And then she went with Boston. I played Thunderbirds, but she was incredible over there. They managed to come back to Manchester. She's just been a player that has come from strength to strength. She's really formidable. And she's someone, as I said, I've really admired her. It's a long way to put all our Apple brains together and create something really special, like me. And Alice, she did, she's a player that I have, since she's been on the first on the scene, she's only gone from strength to strength. She's got such tall stature. And the last few seasons, she's been fantastic with the way she's went small, the way she worked, with the likes of from Williams, the likes of Nicholas Smith last season. I cannot wait to get in that defensive circle with Alice and Shadine as well. So really excited to get to work with those girls. Yeah, bring it on. - Mid-class looking good as well, isn't it? - It's not bad, is it? Well, you've got a Beth concert, you've got not a Panigari, Hannah Joseph. Gosh, if you're gonna pick a few girls and Bella, Bella, let me speak about Bella from Bella. She was with, so I was trying to partner a few years ago and I've admired her for so many years. It's been back in the team with her. She's so hardworking. So I can't wait to work with those girls. They're gonna push my game on even further. And that's exactly what I want. At this stage of my career, I want, I've still got so much more to give to this sport and to be surrounded by work as players, it's only gonna elevate me, as I'm playing it. Thank you for acting, not waiting for that. - It's about to, Vic, obviously, she welcomes the fact that Sammy is gonna be joining you as well, can only benefit her. - Absolutely, and again, it's a welcome back to Sammy 'cause Sammy's been in the same league before. He was playing at a part of my freaks back in the day in December as a head coach and she was incredible. And then obviously got picked up by Rob Wright to go over to Swiss with Helen Hausby. I love Sammy Wallace. She is an incredible player. And I can not wait to see her link up in the circle with Barry Neill. Barry Neill is the most excited young talent in England right now. She is incredible. And for the age that she is and what she's already brought to the league and what she brings to an international stage, oh goodness, I cannot wait to be on the same team as her. You've got the experts at Ella Clark as well. Those guys together, those three, are gonna really create something really exciting. And I'm just so happy I get to admire that in training matches and throughout the season. New era is finally here. You're looking forward to it. I, ah, Millennium is one of my favourite away fixtures. Every single time you step into that arena, the atmosphere is electric and the fans are amazing. After the games, they wanted to talk to you. You don't even know if you don't play for the planet. They are so welcoming. They're always wanting to talk to you. They're amazing people to me. And I can't wait to be on the side of Look for Lightning and Spell to see them. Every single week. I'll be a part of that incredible family. The net will show is now also available via Sky HD, Sky Q, and Sky Glass. So let's sport and we're on the podcast trail. [MUSIC PLAYING]
A great catch-up with Jodie Gibson who returns to Lightning for 2025.