The Netball Show
S7 Ep83: Bethany Brittain (01st Nov 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. - It's a netball show with Flyhawk. Let's speak to Beth Britton who'll be playing for later on in the next season. Thanks for your time, Beth. - No worries, it's good to be here, always like a chat. - And first of all, let's get out the way. Tell me about the last few weeks of last season and the fact that as players, you knew that there was gonna be no more storms. So what was that process like for you all? - Yeah, I mean, it was really tough. You can't sugarcoat it anyway at all. It was tough. Obviously, for me as well, I spent four years at Sirens and they obviously were told that they wouldn't be in the league either. And I was in the Surrey Storm pathway under 17s, under 19s, under 21s. So both clubs were a huge impact in my career. So yeah, really tough. I mean, credit to all the teams that had to play, knowing that they weren't gonna be a franchise the following year. It was really difficult, really a mental battle. And yeah, just a really difficult time. - And just the way that everybody handled it or true credit to everybody wasn't at release. So what was it like at the end of the season really 'cause obviously everybody was faced without uncertainty as to what was coming next. And it was a weird couple of weeks with all contracts being up, wasn't it? Almost a scrapping for places ahead of next season, less teams, less places. So tricky heading into 2025? - Yeah, I mean, I have to say it was definitely the worst of season I've ever had. Just with, it's so much uncertainty. And obviously everyone was in the same boat as you say, everyone's contracts were up. It obviously was difficult with the club I was at being gone because usually you would have chats here and there about how you see your next season going or if there was a next season available. So yeah, really difficult to not be able to have those chats. I do think everyone handled it really well because it was, it's a situation that hopefully will never have to be in again. - Yeah. And it's also the silver lining of everyone's trying to do this to make our sport better and a better viewing and product. So it is a difficult one. Obviously the goal is to make this better and a professional sport. So that's so exciting. So that was on one hand, but the other hand of not knowing where you were gonna sit in that, if you were gonna sit in that, if that would align with what you were currently doing, you know, it was difficult for everyone. I do think everyone handled it really well, pubs. And you know, a lot of staff lost their jobs. Like it was so much more than just the current players, pathways. I mean, you'll know yourself. It was really difficult. So I'm hoping now we can start to see the other side. - Right, happy questions, Rhinos tells. What was that like for you? How did that come about? And at the end of the day really, did you just feel good after them? And how long was it until you found out that you'd made the final selection? - Yeah, I mean, I actually am based up north. So to play at Surrey last year, I moved back home and stayed with my parents. So me and my husband are based up north. So looking for a club that was further up north was on the cards. And obviously Leota is a wing of tax dream. I really have heard amazing things about her and I wanted to be coached by her. So I did have my eyes set on China, wearing myself a contract at Leeds, but you just, there was no, you never knew what was going to happen. So yeah, I found out first two weeks when contract was open, I had conversations and yeah, really lucky and really excited to get signed with Leeds. - It's nice as well that you and Rosie, have you ever continued your super league careers? - Yeah, so exciting. When Rosie joined last year, like we really hit it off, she's such a great person and she's a phenomenal athlete. I feel like she could turn her hand to any sport and just be incredible at it. So yeah, what an athlete and so exciting to be back. In the Leeds team as well, obviously she played there before. So it was sort of a homecoming for her. She's from Leeds. So yeah, really nice, really nice to have that first connection as well. - Gonna be a great squad for 2025. Ryan, I was a team that really excites the fans as well. So I suppose, who are you looking forward to playing alongside the most? - It's difficult and we've got a very young team and then a couple of legends, obviously, as you know. So it is a really fun dynamic, I think. I think when you're young, you've got so much like raw talent and it's so exciting to be playing and training with those girls that are coming up now with the England future girls that we've got. And then obviously, Joyce, Jiva, absolute powerhouses at either end, it's so exciting. I mean, I've been feeding Joyce and training and I have to say, I am very excited to start playing. I mean, I feel like we're a long way off yet but I am very excited to start playing. - What facilities there like for you? - Oh, incredible, you know, a lot of the girls, it is quite a new team, relatively new team. So a lot of the girls have come from other clubs and everyone's just said how professional it is, just the all the support staff and everything based around the club, everything has a reason. There is a reason why we're doing everything. There's that to back it up, like it's a really, it's really exciting, actually, and just really grateful to be involved. And I'm finding it really interesting that I feel like I'm learning so much like off the court as well. So yeah, really great environment. - Right, those are also known for their community work as well. How important is this to you when you'll be hoping to get involved with this over the course of next season? - Yeah, absolutely. When signing the club, I knew how big community was, obviously with the rugby team and with the network team. And myself and Cassie actually did the big sleep. So we finished showing them at 10 o'clock at night and then headed over to the rugby stadium. And yeah, we slept outside on the court. So that was incredible and great to just dive in and get involved in the community stuff because it does mean a lot. Obviously, changes in XC include the addition of Panthers and Nottingham Forest as well. I suppose Joe's gone for a lot of players that she's already worked with from last season and Chelsea's gone for those known combos that already work. Those kind of things will both be key for the morning. - Yeah, absolutely. I mean, every coach has their own style and different way of doing things. And I just can't wait to see everyone play. I just can't call it. It will be down to who connects the best and it will be so exciting. So yeah, I'm excited to see those two. We've got some free season friendies. I'm hoping against both those teams. So yeah, it'll be good to either map before the competition starts. - You've already done a photo shoot on the pitch in orange. Yeah, it was Ella on the roof of the O2. Were you genuinely at work that day? Or did you think you should do it? - I mean, if you've ever met Ella, I feel like you'd absolutely know out of our team. She would be the one to be climbing up the O2. She is fantastic. I was at work, but I have to say, I didn't put my hand up straight away for that one. - And how did you find the fishing this year? I spoke to Ellie Gibbons and she said that she's getting a better year on year. So what about yourself? How do you think you did? - Yeah, and I absolutely love the fishing. It's something I look forward to every off season. Yeah, I mean, I'm not going to do my own one, but I did quite well this year. I've had a lot of the last few years before, but no, I placed quite well. I think I placed fourth individually and to get the pegs at the start of the competition, I had to punch a boxing bag against the likes of David Seaman. And I beat him. My punch was hard. - Well, you've got that, at least, haven't you? - You know, Jim at Leeds has been paying off. - It's a special time for everybody there. You'll be really looking forward to things. - Yeah, yeah, it's nice. We're already back in, started to build connections and it's just not like, I just love the environment. I'm enjoying it. I'm trying to soak up every second of it. I feel like even more so this year, players are just so grateful to be there because we know that not everyone got the contract that they were after. So yeah, I think after the end of last season, it just makes you so grateful and makes you want to even more. So yeah, I'm really excited. - Morning, Philip, nibble.theranos.co.uk. Beth, thanks for your time. - Thanks so much for having me. - The netball show is now also available via SkyQ and Sky Glass. Select sports and we're on the podcast's rail.
Bethany Brittain has joined Leeds Rhinos for the 2025 Netball Superleague season,