Fran Williams' competitive spirit relit ahead of England return

By Milly McEvoy, Sportsbeat

Fran Williams says a summer spent watching her teammates from the stands has relit her competitive spirit ahead of returning to the England netball squad this month.

The 25-year-old Loughborough Lightning ace has been named in the Roses squad for the Vitality Netball International Series against Uganda that starts in Nottingham on October 5.

The defender attended the Commonwealth Games as a fan but saw missing out on selection for Birmingham as a chance to reflect.

“I've definitely learned I'm competitive and ambitious, and still definitely want to have my opportunity to go to a Games in the future with the Roses,” Williams said.

“But I guess it's given me the opportunity to go away and reflect on what else I need to do to improve my game so I can be out there competing in the major tournament.

“It’s offered me the opportunity to reflect and come back with a new sense of passion and drive to hopefully better myself and get myself in that position, so I can be out there representing the Roses consistently.”

Williams captained England at Under-21 level before making her senior debut at the Netball World Cup in 2019 as the youngest member of the Roses squad.

The two-time Vitality Netball Superleague champion first encountered Uganda at that World Cup in Liverpool as England came away 64-32 winners.

The gap has closed between the two teams, with England’s winning margin down 21 at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, thanks in part to Williams' club teammate Mary Cholhok.

The towering goal shooter will now become Williams' direct opponent in the circle, but the England ace will still be cheering for her friend even as she tries to stop her scoring.

She added: “I’m still always Mary's biggest supporter and will want her to be out there smashing it, but maybe not so much against us.

“Just as much as we know her weaknesses, she knows our weaknesses, so it’s about looking at where we can pre-empt what we want to do on them and set up some opportunities for us to win the ball off that long feed into Mary and that higher ball.”

While Williams is well aware of the threat Cholhok poses, there is untapped potential in England’s defence with the five players selected never having previously played together for the Roses.

“Individually, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself other than I'd love the opportunity to just be back out there playing and getting a feel for some newer combinations.

“Defensively, none of us have ever been in as a four or five together, so that's going to be really exciting to see how those new combinations flourish over the series.

“Then more widely as a team, our goal is to go out there to win the series and stamp our authority back on the international stage, and hopefully got a 3-0 win.”

Tickets to see the Vitality Roses in action against Uganda are still available from the England Netball website