Michelle's got her head right for Netball World Cup

Feb 23 2010 By Tim Edwards

EVERYONE knows about the one big World Cup happening in South Africa this year.

But there is also another as the Indoor Netball World Cup kicks off in March, and Denham resident Michelle Tipper will be representing England.

Tipper, 31, had always played traditional netball but in her first year playing the indoor game she finds herself preparing represent her country in a national competition.

She said: “It has been a bit of a shock to the system to be honest. I was playing traditional netball and my coach mentioned the indoor trials, so I just went along to see what it was like and I find myself going to a World Cup – it is a bit unreal.

“My goal for the trip is to be in the starting line-up for the tournament with our collective aim to bring back a gold for England.”
Tipper is currently studying sports psychology at Roehampton University and has been playing netball since the age of seven.

Indoor netball differs from the traditional code as the court is surrounded by a net, meaning the ball never goes out play.

It is a growing sport. The World Cup has no sponsor and is solely self-funded, but many hope the speed and excitement of the game will pull in more fans.

Tipper said: “It is different from normall netball because you don't get the same breathers you do when the ball goes out of play, so you have to be fitter.

“It is played much faster and is really exciting, so I hope more people take it up.”

But Tipper has been working on more than just her fitness in preparation for South Africa.

She has been working closely with a sports psychologist, founder of Inside Performance, Louise Deeley, to prepare herself mentally for the upcoming tournament.

She said: “You can be as physically fit as you can but without working on the menatl aspect of the game you will never reach your potential.

“It is an honour to represent you country, which I am so proud of. I never I thought it would be something I could do but with Louise I have achieved this.

“I would not be where I am today without the support of my parents Paul and Sue. Dad sadly passed away before I was selected by I know he would be proud.”