Sometimes it doesn’t matter how far along the netball pathway you are, it’s never too early to step outside of your comfort zone.
After three seasons of the Netball NSW Premier League with the Manly Warringah Sapphires, NSW 19/U representative Chelsea Mann decided to do just that.
In 2021 the QBE Swifts Academy athlete made the switch from Manly to GWS Fury which, given how young she is, was a brave move.
However, Mann knows the path to the top in netball is brutal given the sheer volume of netballers across the country – and the world – fighting it out to be one of the 0.0004% of athletes who make it to Super Netball (based on international playing figures). And she has some fine guidance in the shape of former Swifts Premiership winner Nardia Macdonald.
“It definitely wasn’t an easy move after growing up always wearing the Manly colours,” Mann says.
“However, I decided it was time to spread my wings and have the experience to challenge myself but this time at another franchise to hopefully learn something new and broaden my netball skills.
“Fury has welcomed me into their family with arms wide open and has made me feel like I have been there forever. The girls have been so supportive to me and are just as passionate about becoming better netball players as I am.
“Nardia’s knowledge and experience of the game is truly something special and has positively impacted me on and off the court.”
Despite the Premier League being on hiatus for the duration of Greater Sydney’s COVID-19 lockdown, Mann still feels connected.
“We have been all connecting through online zooms to check in on each other,” she says.
“We have played games digitally, had fun and lots of belly laughs. We also do our S&C sessions together to keep each other accountable and motivated.”
Mann may be wearing the orange dress of the GWS Fury, but it’s with the Swifts setup that she’s also excelling. She was a standout in pre-season and hugely impressive in an Academy hit-out against a very strong NSW Men’s Team.
The big reward on the back of this was selection for the Australian National Championships in Victoria later this year. This will also provide Mann some solace after the cancellation of the 2021 National Netball Championships in Tasmania due to COVID-19 outbreaks across the country.
“This is an opportunity that I will never take for granted… I am so honoured to be a part of this team and so privileged to be coached by Lenore Blades, Jen Wright and (former Swifts captain) Abbey McCulloch, who are not only coaches but also role models and mentors to me,” she says.
“The Swifts Academy has been an amazing progression for me and my netball pathway. As Nationals was such a disappointment, I can't wait to have the chance to go out with a bang on the netball court and show everyone what I am capable of doing at the Championships.
“I'm so excited to play the game I love at the ANC, it will be one of the most fulfilling moments of my netball journey. I'm so thrilled to play alongside all of these girls and see how much we can accomplish throughout the Championships.”
When the Premier League resumes Mann will be hoping to contest Finals. The Fury currently sit in the top four and it’s the collective attitude, that incorporates individual strengths, that’s put them where they are.
“We are a team of 12 with each player bringing their own unique strengths to our game,” Mann adds.
“I feel the growth in our team is getting stronger each week which has also enabled us to grow strong relationships on and off court.
“Each week we have a ‘game day word’ to channel our thoughts and get everyone mentally prepared to start thinking about our game plan and keeping each other accountable.
“This year's competition in the Opens has definitely been very tight so far but I believe we are travelling very well.”
Traveling well is certainly a phrase you could use to describe Mann’s netball journey to this point also.
