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This episode of Off the Court is brought to you in partnership with American Express. Open up your book of great sporting moments. England Rosses. THEY JUST REWROTE history again. This new era net Super League has had it all. That is what it means. This place, this time, this team, London Pulse, a crown netball Super League Champions 2025. Hello, this is Off the Court without Tracy Neville, without Tams in Greenway. Basically, they couldn't bring themselves to come and see Anna Stembridge where we are in [__] essentially because they're still trying to get a gig playing on court. They call themselves the Fossils. It'll happen sometime soon. I'm betting it's only
going to be with the magic sponge. So off the subs bench, Caroline Barker. I am here once of off the court and once of anime's 2014 Commonwealth Games Glasgow. There was no Stembridge then. No, there was not. I think it was my first year maybe at Five Live and we were sat down doing every single match watching England ride all the way through it. How times change? What's changed for you since then? a lot more gray hairs and more lines. But uh yeah, it's been a long time. Yeah. And I kind of look back with fond memories on those times and I wonder for you how you reflect on that given where you are now sat here as actually I don't like to say interim coach because you
are the coach, right? You're coaching this team as it is. How do you reflect on that to where you are now? Yeah. So 2014 it was heartbreak like ultimately it was but a lot of fond memories. um really proud of the group like to run those two games against like Australia and New Zealand where we were leading the whole time to then lose by one goal like yeah it was heartbreak however I'd say myself the players are better for having had that experience I'm definitely a better coach for having had that experience um there's been a lot of growth a lot of um like better understanding of myself in terms of in critical moments under stressful times, etc.
Well, I started with heartbreak. We might as well continue it. I It feels like it might be a theme somewhere along, but we're going to reach those high points because I wonder for you, the reason we're here is to chat about clearly we haven't heard from you since you got the gig. Yeah. But whether there has been that moment where you've been able to congratulate yourself on being here because it didn't really feel like that at the time when there was this transition period, your old mate gone, you stepping in. Yeah. Have you had that point where you've gone actually this is this should be something I celebrate?
Yeah. So it is an honor and it's an absolute privilege. Like ultimately this type of role um yeah is like the pinnacle of most coaches careers. So yeah definitely feel very honored. Um I think in this period of change like I was the right person for the role in terms of to provide consistency, clarity for the players and stability. It is an interim period. So I do know the players the best having been able to work with them for the last uh two years really closely as part of that coaching team. Tracy Neville on this podcast said that she thought it was a bit disrespectful that you didn't get that moment. It was sort of all lumped in together. She had that when she came in clearly replacing
you. She had that moment to say, "You're the coach. We believe in you." And you didn't get that. You didn't get that you're the consistency. You are the right person for this. Did it feel like that to you? Um, not really because ultimately like the players were front and center in terms of the decision to support them to ensure that they did get the clarity. They were communicated first. So that was really important. Like I am someone that cares deeply about the people I work with and I'm definitely an athlete centered coach. So for me like we had to lead by what was important players first and then yeah it's so ensuring that stability that um clarity for them and yeah that consistency.
So you internally felt that even if it wasn't communicated to the outside world. What about your mate Jess? So did you pick up the phone first of all and say this is what I'm planning to say this is what's happening did you get her okay so like obviously Jess has shared in terms of her stepping away for personal reasons so I think like out of respect of Jess it's really important that I don't talk about it's really important I support that like you know she has shared it is for personal reasons but that whole I want to take this job on did you say to her you know this is something I want to do. Did you get a blessing in that respect?
Like Jess ultimately wants England to do well. Like she had such a lasting impact in terms of the legacy. It's so important to build on that foundation and you know ultimately yeah she wants England to do well. She was at the realms for six years. It was really important that she set up a strategy that was about you know beyond her legacy. How do you take that on then? What's going to be different? What do you keep? Yeah. So, I think like we've got some brilliant foundation. Um, and it's important that we do build on that. Um, like for me, like first and foremost, I wanted to get out into the clubs, build those connections with the players,
build connections with the club coaches. like they play such an important part to supporting our players that I wanted to lead by action and get out there and um yeah, like I said, ensure I'm building those connections, spending time with them in their environment. Um also make sure that as a coaching team, like we're doing the analysis, we want to provide clarity in terms of game plan. I want the players to feel really well connected as us as coaches and support staff and then to have that confidence going into that com games. Anna 2.0 what is different? Yeah. So apart from the gray hairs and the uh the aging lines um I think for me like I am very self-reflective. I um want to be someone that like I said
leads by action that ultimately I listen to the players. I want them to feel listened. I want to value um not only their kind of um input but also the staff. So I want to work in a really collaborative dynamic way. Um so I think there's been growth in that respect for me. So high support but high challenge as well. Yeah. Um, so I think for me understanding myself um has been like the journey and knowing that I'm not going to get everything right, but there will be the endeavor to do so and players are going to be front and center of those decisions and those actions for me, which is great and is ludable. But back in 2014, there wasn't the noise of social media around all sports.
Yeah. That there is now. You'll have seen pelters thrown at Jess. You'll have seen it thrown at England net ball. How do you deal with that? It's great that you wrap your arms around the players. Yeah. But like it or not, stuff might come your way too. How do you deal with that? Yeah. And I think like we want the noise. We want people having conversations about net. Like we want the sport to keep growing. People are going to have opinions. Um I think for myself is around being really clear around what I will be judged on and the way I lead and behave and for me making sure I've got the right support network. So like my friends and my family like in
taking this job I had to have their blessing like there is a cost there's a demand in terms of this type of role. I've got brilliant staff members. So the likes of Cla Davidson, Liv Murphy, they are outstanding people, absolute rock stars in their discipline. So having the right people around you that can support but also challenge you, I think it's really important. Um, one of the things I feel really passionate about for coaches is like well-being. So I did my PhD um on like the stress process of elite coaching. So making sure like I'm eating well, I've got good sleep hygiene, I'm exercising. Um, so those things that I know actually make a difference for me and how I turn up in my workplace ultimately. Yeah.
And you'll have read the week that rocked England net ball. Um, I think it was likened to you wouldn't see Steve McLaren going back in to a job having been sacked going back in to be England manager. Yeah. Do you feel like there's something to prove? Um, it is a question that I've been asked quite a bit. I feel like it's more around ensuring that I support the player group that we still even in the change of personnel, we still have the desire, we still have that great ambition. So I want to make sure that I create an environment where they can thrive, not just survive, that they can uh feel like they're best prepared, that they feel confident, and
ultimately that's what I want to do. So I will continue to lead in that way. Maybe we'll come back to that because I want you to be protected in that moment if when you keep saying about players. So I'm glad to hear that's that's happening for the players. If we move on, I said Anna 2.0. What about net 2.0? You've been out and about. The professionalization of the league. How has that maybe shifted where you were in 2014 to where you are now? How's it helping? Yeah, great point. So in terms of the net Super League like it's fast, it's furious. We have seen some brilliant competitive games particularly in the last few months like I've been so excited whether it's been in the
arenas live watching the games or whether it's been back home you know we've had games go into extra time we've seen games like turn around in terms of like yeah the momentum shifting so that's been brilliant for our sport in terms of accessibility and visibility without a shadow of a dell and the full-time program so ensuring that you know the players are getting the wraparound support that they need in order to again thrive in that environment, maximize training. Um, ensuring that we've got the coaches in there supporting them. So, we are in such a good place. Um, and actually we still got more to come which is really exciting. I think we're kind of in that moment where the sport can keep growing
and women's sport is in a fabulous uh position at the minute, but we're seeing I suppose those inspiring role models. They're more visible um and more accessible I suppose as well. Are there any players that you've just gone you've arrived? Um I suppose there's been quite a bit of noise around some of our like new members of the cohort. So like a Gracie Smith or an Izzy Phillips. I think really exciting individuals like they have backed up performances from like obviously their previous um season. I think it's really important that we get that support and that wraparound um for them, right? Because they're not just the now like we want them to have a long and successful career. So that
longevity piece. Um, so how we best prepare them for tournament net cuz that is what's different. Like we've obviously got a brilliant um NSL 2.0 but they're only playing a game you know once a week tournament Neville seven games in 10 days it's drooling. So I think again how do we build that physical robustness, that mental readiness, that um tactical um now like how can we ensure that we are transitioning players into our program that has longevity as opposed to going, "Oh, we're so excited. Let's get them out there and actually let's do it in a really safe and really wellsupported way." that Helen Hbyby Manchester Thunder last second goal. You don't think we're going to see that sort of step into a tournament straight away?
There needs to be more built around that. I think so. Like that 2014 moment like that was one of the fondest moments of that period of time. Like being able to cap Helen Hby at the com games against Wales in our first game. Like that was pretty special. And as a coach, like giving those youngsters their debut is pretty cool, pretty epic. I think it's I'm not saying we won't see it. I just think it's really important as fans, as a governing body, we just make sure we get it right so it's done in a really safe, really supportive way. Are you also a bit tied by the fact that didn't you have to put a long squad in how many months ago was it for the Commonwealth Games? It was a while ago, but I think again like what people may
not know is like there is a process. There is like paperwork like we're working with team England. Um yet there's a period of time where assessors will be ultimately watching these players in our domestic league as well as those that are playing overseas. But it's a gamble, right? If you see someone like Gracie Smith who that has this brilliant back end of the season, you would have known about her. But you might not have weighing her up against everyone else thought when you're sticking that long squad in that she would be a contender. Well, we're we're pretty smart in terms of like who the players are coming through. So like working closely with the likes of Josie, our pathway head coach, and um again working closely with
the Super League um coach. They've been brilliant by the way, like really welcoming me in their environment. So like even Helen in 2014, it wasn't a surprise. No. So like working with the likes of Jan and Colette at that point in similar fashion like I am with Josie, like you know who's coming through like you know kind of some of the wild cards. So when you do that long squad, it's pretty long to start off with. It's probably over the last couple of months and weeks you're starting to kind of get a little bit more targeted with like the selectors and the assessors. What's the number and when is it? Is it February time you have to put in I can't remember the exact date but um the time of day or
it was a while ago. So again thinking around our program making sure it's inclusive as opposed to exclusive at that point. Um and then ultimately as a selection panel and assessors like we will meet at various points throughout the season. Um and then ultimately you have to cut it down to 20. And then obviously like we know with com games which is different to world cup you can only pick the 12 and you can't sub people in and out like a world cup depending on injury or load. So that's when I talk around like tournament ready like how can we build that kind of physical robustness and psychological readiness. All right, we'll talk about your picks in just a bit, but you are listening or watching off the court with Anna Stembridge, a
special all about her new role here at England. New stroke, old role. More coming up after the break. Now, it's time to thank our partner for this episode, American Express. We all know that the AMX Supershot rewards teams and communities in the Netball Super League, but did you know AMX could also help you unlock the experiences you really care about? With MX, you can earn points on everyday spend, like morning coffee, the commute, and groceries, and use those points on the things you love the most. What about match tickets for more Super League games or your team's merch for the big moments throughout the season? And it goes beyond Net Ball, too. Card members also get access to pre-sale
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Subject to status 18 plus. Rates may vary. T and C apply. Anna Stebridge is here. Tracy and Tams in no doubt are listening on somewhere, watching on as well. Let's talk about how you come to the decision for the Commonwealth Games. You say they've got to be tournament ready. Yeah. There's this kind of longheld thought amongst coaches that you have to have or five fossils, but five or six players that have been and experienced maybe three major tournaments. with the best in the world. You're not going to have that in terms of a either three com games or three World Cups or one of each. Given just the changes, the injuries, Helen, how's been used?
Yeah. As you sit here now, yeah. Do you believe the squad that you've picked can win it? I'm really confident about this squad. I think we've got a really beautiful blend in terms of Yes. There's not loads that have been to Comath Games. Like that is a reality. That's a fact. like we've only got three athletes. However, on the flip side, you've got that excitement, that vibrance in terms of people that have never been to a Comalth Games. And that type of energy is infectious. So, let's not underestimate like what that can do to a squad as well. And I think we've got brilliant tactical diversity in this group. Um, which I think has always been a huge strength or a real tool to our armory as an England side. I think we've got
some worldclass individuals and they're just getting better and better like when we see them all on the world stage like live to Sheen. Wow. You know, we think around 18 months ago when we went out to Australia, New Zealand, she had, you know, she'd been to a World Cup but was very much as like a peripheral 12. Since then gives me goosebumps. She has literally put her hand up and gone, I am here. I'm owning this stage. So, you know, people like that we're seeing really develop their trade and really stamp their authority. So, super excited to see the likes of them saying, I'm here and I'm I'm about, you know, dominating this circle as one example of someone we can be really excited about.
Liv puts her hand up, list goals, puts the feed in. Does it change your thinking with Helen injured on how to pivot? But how to maybe thank you once in a while how to change maybe who you might bring as a result of what you've now got to do in that circle. It is a brilliant question. So I think um you should be reassured that you know we talk around whatifs and we as a coaching team go through all those different scenarios that you really don't want to sort of premort because you would have heard the noise about oh there's no plan B they've you know played Helen's been set so who's the backup yeah so I think we have seen other people play and perform across that line you know the likes of Lois Pearson. I think Lois is probably one of the
smartest Nepplers I've been fortunate to work with. And you work with Thomas in Greenwood. Another smart cookie to be fair. Um but my point being is people have featured there and actually Helen hasn't always played at goal attack. She's also played at goal shooter. And also we've looked at who has supplied whether it's Helen out in front or whether she's not been on the court. So that has been something that has been building. Um so you know I've given that one example of like a Lois Pearson that um you know may slide across. We've also seen like a Sasha Glasgow absolutely bossing it in SSN. So you know she's playing against some of the world's best defenders week in week out in that training environment
as well as in the league. So, um, yes, I am gutted and devastated for Helen, devastated for the squad, but we've got some brilliant athletes. And ultimately, we've always spoke around like as a squad, we have to be better as a unit. Um, to outthink, outsmart, and outplay the opposition that we are respectful of. Did you know it was coming for a while with Helen? Um, as in you've had longer to prepare than maybe the hearts that have broken of fans. Yeah, ultimately we are working really closely with the clubs like we are, you know, ensuring that we're in communication that we're working with
both the athletes and obviously the club environment. So, we're always making sure like we're giving it the best opportunity and as long as possible. Um, but ultimately, yeah, we got the really disappointing news a little while ago. You mentioned Sasha Glasgow. Is there a part of you that will pick up the phone to Dan Ryan and say, "How have you got the best out of her?" Because again, there was a shift in her and how she's been playing this season. Definitely. And like I said, does he answer the phone? He does to be fair to Dan and actually Dan is a great champion of Sash and it was a question that we've been asking and that's the same for like Greggy you know in terms of in Thunder like number of
those players performing and they hit some great momentum coming into this back end of the league. So absolutely like those club coaches are so insightful and so important in terms of how they're building the form, how they're getting the best out of the players. And I think personally like I pride myself on trying to maximize those insights from others and learn from a couple of times. Do you think that's a real shift then? I just think that's something that I personally love to do. Like I'm always learning. I don't have all the answers. I want to make sure I work with people like the coaches like if I can learn something from them to get the best out of an individual why would I
not like it's just something yeah I would want to ask those people learning did you learn from South Africa and was it right in hindsight to go and the load put on the players so learning we got so much insight it was brilliant in that respect um these players don't get to play tournament net that often. We can't we couldn't have waited till July to test out whether we could do seven games in 10 days. Like the tour was always meant to be tough. Like that was planned. It was meant to be physically hard. Um you know when we look ahead in terms of how many players have played tournament net um played a comealth games it was few like that is fact. So how can we best ready them and ensure
that they can tolerate that load? We played the cowpies like one of the best teams in the world again like it was brilliant for us in terms of their aerial ability, their physicality. So were we disappointed to have lost those games? Absolutely. Like let's just be really clear on that. Were there areas in which it kind of exposed us and highlight actually we've got some work to do? Definitely. Um but we took loads of learning both in terms of how do we manage ourselves in a tournament like players you know how do they get like that thing right with their downtime um how are they fueling accordingly like in terms of com games we've got three backto-back games a day off two backto-back day off two games
like if we don't practice some of those strategies before that point we're leaving things to chance and so we got some brilliant learnings coming out of so no regrets from it like ultimately no regrets like devastated to lose the games like not acceptable on our part and I think ultimately you know particular that first test match um we shouldn't have lost um you know we bounce back really quickly but results in a way don't count for something if physically and mentally you can get through something right if the players come out better yeah as a result and you feel that was the case we've definitely taken loads of learning so individually. Um we know what strategies like if we took recovery as one example in terms of nutrition in
terms of um ice buff or massage like what support they need to wrap around that individual we've got loads of insight which is so important um going to South Africa and playing in that arena like we don't get to always experience like the different kind of um arena vibes. So again like critical moments, moments where like we have to stand up like so much learning to take tough one in terms of to build back up from but yeah loads of learning to take from it with Laura Malcolm in Cape Town and the seagull straight on her head uh as in it defecated rather than landed. So that was one learning maybe you can take from that South Africa parks but you got to beat them.
Yes, definitely. something you said right at the start of this like four years ago when I started talking to you at this interview about we're going to win that was that has been thrown at England coaches in the past Jess included and there be this yeah we want to be up there with them but not this will to win have you seen a mentality shift as in you are going to win it's not just going to com to compete to turn up to be there you're going to get on that podium to go and win so I think like If I reflect on the years of net ball I've been involved in like that 2013 2014 there was like a shift in the landscape of world net ball like the sleepy giant had awoken so when we did that white wash against Australia
in 2013 it was like okay we're here to you know play with the big girls and I think you know then we look at the 2018 success in terms of that gold medal that was a epic moment in time the world stage is so competitive. We've probably got five or six nations that could meddle like that is a reality and actually let's be respectful of the fact that South Africa are up there. They have they've been knocking on the door. You know, we look at 2019 in terms of World Cup. They were in the top four. But with respect, Jamaica, South Africa have not had the financial support.
They've not had the backing. They don't have the coaching resources and haven't traditionally had that. They have made these places their own when England should have been turning up, should have been beating these teams. It's an interesting point though. So, they have gone and I suppose exposed themselves in different ways. So you can't get away from the fact if you look at SSN you've got Shamira and Latiana like playing together again. So with some of the best coaches in the world coaching them the best league. So I think they've been creative in the way in which they have developed their game.
South Africa there's been a huge investment in terms of like their club system etc. We've got a number of those players playing not only in our league but in terms of SSN. So I think it's different of how resources have been accessed and how they have elevated I suppose the game in terms of coaching. You know we can't deny the impact Norman plumber had on that coaching system in South Africa. So, I just think it's really exciting where we're at in terms of the world game. And it's important for the growth of our game that we're not just talking around Australia, New Zealand, you know, it's it could be, like I said, any five or six countries that are competing for a medal, but you know, when you get to the top of any sport,
you got to go and achieve, right? This was you in 2014, if you finish fourth, if you finish outside the medals again, what that could mean. Yep. for you. Yeah, there's a reality of it like we are judged in lots of ways around the medal. I think it's important though we also think around how the way in which we win, the way in which we create an environment that is um supportive of our athletes and making sure we do have that like I said high challenge, high support. Um but ultimately if we can see improvement, we can see progression like World Cup has always been our pinnacle in terms of a four-year cycle. Um but
you can't get away from it in terms of a high performance sport. We are judged on medals which comes back to you, right? do you want this job? I think it's really important to reinforce this is for the interim like England net have been to get to the World Cup to have all those players in that position you need to be thinking now what is our strategy for four to eight years right that's yeah like I am supporting conversations and even like today in terms of the conversations how the super league coaches the MPA our um Rose's pathway coach like there's so many key stakeholders around the table talking around what is our strategy? How can we sure that everyone's owning that strategy? Um I'm absolutely contributing
to it. But what I will say I am fiercely focused on the com games and then for me we'll deal with what that looks and feels like. We've we've been really open and transparent. There will be an interview process um and an application process after com games. So this isn't your audition. It probably feels like to some, but I am fiercely focused honestly. Like I have to make sure that I um best prepare this team. I make sure that the coaching team, the support staff are creating an environment that best equipss this group of athletes to thrive come games. Have you brought earplugs for Shaunie? Well, yeah, that's the that's a good question to be fair. earplugs, um ear defenders. Like we've got such a
great um coaching team in terms of like Yeah. Again, the diversity of the thinking, the diversity of the experiences. Um it's it's a good group to work with. Do they challenge you in the same way that you would challenge Jess? Yeah, definitely. like um Liv has um great skill in terms of being supportive but also respectfully challenging and I think um Joe and Shaunie like they definitely know their voices heard and listened to. Um I think ultimately a decision at times will have to be made and we have to be really clear around like when we walk out a room like we're all supportive of that decision. But let's talk about you ultimately with the
I think like the head coach is accountable to final decisions, but we've got a process. So I think again like if we're talking around squads, if we're talking around starting seven serving, if we're thinking around matchups, we have processes that enables us to each bring our thoughts and our um opinions to the table. But there's a reality, right? Like when time is sensitive, when there's a key decision to make, we need to be confident around that process, too. Joe Harton, future England head coach. Do you think you'd have to ask Joe, do I think she's got the potential, the passion, the tactical understanding? Absolutely. But I think sometimes we make assumption that people want to be the head coach.
It's really demanding. It's really hard. Um yeah, I don't know. I haven't got a crystal ball, but she is a very good coach even though so early on in her career. You know, it's these things can be really awkward, right? Because you can easily slip into coach speak and I've spoken to you when you're not England head coach and it can be very different and you can be on edge in this. Is this uh Anna Stembridge formerly Maze that you would want to be in this position now? You know, when in 2014, if you were looking at yourself now, you think that's the coach I wish I'd been then.
Yeah. Yeah, I think like hindsight is a wonderful thing. Like ultimately I said at the start like I feel like I'm a really self-aware, really reflective coach and ultimately I've had those experiences like I've learned from those experiences. So yeah, like you'd want to have some of the learnings and some of the things that I know now that I didn't know then. Um, but there was also like when someone's fresh and someone's like doesn't have baggage, like there's also some real strength in that. So, I think, you know, when I look at some of the younger coaches or newer coaches in NSL, I'm like confidence and kind of a little bit of um kind of naivity or ignorance is bliss as well. So, I think there's pros
and cons, but what I would say is I've learned a lot about myself. I continue to learn about the game. Um, I definitely surround myself with people that will challenge me. Um, and definitely bring like that diversity of thinking as well, which I believe gets the best out in a group. What would you say to the England fans who are we haven't heard from Anna, we haven't heard from Anna. What would you say to them now? Just that this is a really exciting group. Like we want them to be excited too. We want them to be confident. We want to get them like supporting us.
Like I know we've already sold a lot of tickets um in terms of English fans. So making that trip up to Glasgow like get behind the team, wear those bucket hats, have those flags and this cohort is a very exciting cohort. So yeah, get behind us. Like they are, it's cliche, they are the eighth player. We hear them, we feel them, we want them to enjoy this moment as much as that we will. And when will you be giving Tamson and Tracy the call? So, they've got the What do you mean? I already have. All right. Yeah. Good luck. Thank you. See you in Glasgow. If I could dodge past the Gregs, it was always a Gregs and I am nothing if not stereotypical on the way to the center. Those memories of 2014. Are you going to have
that? Gosh, what was it? You had like a cuddly toy that kept being passed around. Do you remember that? That's that's that's the girls. That's the girls in terms of Yeah. Yeah. I think we ended up with that in commentary at one point. Good luck. Thank you. I hope Anna 2.0 O gets the kind of medal that the original Anna wanted and hoped and dreamed for and that we're all excited and that we come out the other end and ultimately as humans we've enjoyed it. Right. Absolutely. All right. Tamin Tracy have been listening to this on off the court. You can as always tune in, download, watch them both in action every week and no
doubt they'll be reacting to this too. But until next time, thank you Annist Bridge. How does the gut go? I mean if nothing that is worth the job alone is exactly consider it
