Netball star Sophie Drakeford-Lewis relishing leadership role in Thirlby’s revamped Roses

By Ben Hart, Sportsbeat

Sophie Drakeford-Lewis insists she is ready to make the step up to becoming a key leader in Jess Thirlby’s new-look Vitality Roses side.

The Reading netball star is one of just four players who represented Team England at the Commonwealth Games to have been included in the squad for the three-match series against Uganda, which starts in Nottingham on October 5.

Birmingham 2022 was Drakeford-Lewis’ first major event, and with that experience behind her, she is hoping to kick on now five years into her international career.

“I think I'm going to take the experiences that I've had over the past couple of years to be one of those leaders in that attacking end,” she said.

“I've learned a lot from the past couple of years, I'm hoping that I can establish myself in that team and bring out some good performances that I'm really proud of, and hopefully will put me in good stead moving forward.”

“It [the Commonwealth Games] was obviously a really steep learning curve. For it to be on home soil, was an incredible experience."

After missing out on a medal at this summer’s Games, Drakeford-Lewis says the side desperately want to rediscover their best form, with next year’s World Cup in South Africa drawing ever closer.

But the 23-year-old is not looking any further ahead than the series with the She Cranes, who finished just a place behind Team England in the summer, with Drakeford-Lewis adamant that they will provide a stern test.

“They showed some really good form, especially towards the back end of that tournament, beating South Africa in their final game,” she explained.

“We know we're going into a really tough three matches in quite a short space of time.”

"So we're doing our prep, that's kind of the focus for us over the next two weeks, whilst also building connections, because it's a new squad that's been put together.

“We've got so many new faces, and just building those connections heading into these games is going to be really important.”

There is certainly a freshness to Thirlby’s squad, with four players receiving their first senior call-up and others, with limited international experience, still learning the ropes.

The Surrey Storm goal attack feels the presence of several new recruits showcases the depth within the Vitality Superleague and believes the competitiveness within the camp is forcing everyone to raise their game.

“We always pride ourselves on our training environment, and we're constantly pushing each other to get better and better. That's what is going to make the Roses even better,” she said.

“This series is a really great opportunity so soon after the Commonwealth Games for us all to hopefully get some really good exposure.

“There's nothing more special than playing in front of a crowd of England fans who are cheering really loudly for us. So we're really looking forward to that.”

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