‘Any netball I play is a bonus after leg break.’ – Sasha Glasgow reflects on her return to the England national team | netball news

2024 Australian-born England Rose Sasha Glasgow was due to make her debut for the Melbourne Mavericks in the Suncorp Super Netball League, but was immediately cut short for a warm-up match.

The Mavericks played SSN opponents Sunshine Coast Lightning until the 2024 season, when Glasgow suffered a broken tibia and fibula during the second quarter, putting his season and potential career on hold.

The goal shooter wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to play at an elite level again. Especially because she had the following difficulties: Two previous long-term injuriesHowever, she has since made her debut for the Mavericks on SSN and returned to the English courts.

England's Sasha Glasgow (right) and Australia's Jamie-Lee Price during the 2024 Vitality Netball Nations Cup Final.
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Sasha Glasgow was born in Australia but has British parents, which makes her eligible to play for the Vitality Roses, and she debuted in the red dress in 2023.

“It felt like a bit of a challenge to wear an English dress again,” Glasgow said.

“So when we first talked about returning to the program, at that point we didn’t know if we would ever be able to play or play netball again, let alone SSN.

“It felt like a huge stretch at the time, but all the support has been amazing and unbelievable.

“Every time you take a step forward, for example when you have to run or change direction, you have to include the ball in your training and when I finally stepped out in my SSN club dress I felt it (returning to the England national team) was possible.

“Then when I got the call from Jess (Thirlby, England manager) asking me to reach out to get back into the 2025/2026 program, there were so many emotions because I felt like it would never happen again.”

After months of grueling rehabilitation, Glasgow returned to action for the first time in May 2024, eventually making his official Mavericks debut in the team’s season opener on April 5 of this year.

In the recent New Zealand series, Glasgow returned to the court in a red dress, 661 days after she last played for the Roses.

She partnered Helen Housby in the attacking circle in the final match of the series in New Zealand, where the Silver Ferns went on to win 55-49 and also won the series 2-1.

Glasgow also took the court in the series against Jamaica, with England sweeping the series 2-0.

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Highlights of the third match of the Vitality International Test Series between England and New Zealand

This was also England’s final home game before the Commonwealth Games in Scotland next year.

Glasgow hopes to field a squad for that tournament, but for now she is determined to enjoy all the netball she can get to play.

Sasha Glasgow of England in action during a Vitality Netball International Series match at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena.
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Sasha Glasgow was a dominant force for England until a third long-term injury set him back.

“Once I got back and found my rhythm, got consistent training again and was able to play for 60 minutes, I knew I could put myself in a good position to keep playing,” Glasgow added.

“The girls were so excited when I came back and they really put their arms around me and looked after me when I came in. The expectation was just to train again and have fun.

“I’ve actually been through the worst. Playing netball is fun.

“So what I have to remember when I’m out there is that it’s definitely a pressure moment and you know you want to win.

“But at some point it felt unachievable, so any netball I play now is a bonus.”