Q. What was your proudest player moment?
A. For me it was my first big win, winning Bronze by coming third in the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

Q. Did your family like watching you play?
A. My family were very supportive and loved to watch me play but my parents had to divide their time between me and my brothers. My mum followed me around the world to watch me play and support me. She had a special look before each game that she would give me, a look that says it all – that she was there to support me and she was proud of me.

Q. How do you motivate your team before they go on?
A. I don’t. That’s the Captains role. Throughout the week prior (or through the season) I will spend a lot of time analysing our key opposition. From this I will plan a strategy on what our team need to focus on. Every team has strength and weaknesses but the key is to maximise or limit these as much as possible. In training we will work on team focus, on setting up and working together.

Q. I have a lucky bobble, do you have a lucky something for when your team plays?
A. Pre-match routine… It helps centre me and the players and brings the focus to what we should be doing at that time.

Q. How do you feel when your team loses a match they should have won?
A. Frustrated! Sometimes it’s hard to handle but we look at the reasons why and come back to the next game with more determination. Like most people I don’t like to lose but I tend to concentrate on the performance and the processes and what failed us in that game.
Q. Top tips to stop footwork?
A. Keep it basic. Land 1,2. Until you have mastered the basics and can apply correctly and with confidence in a match situation there is no point trying other fancy techniques.

Q. Are fitness, natural skill and passion needed in equal measure, or are some required more than others to be a great netballer?
A. That’s a good question. I would say to be a successful netballer you need all three but certainly, in my opinion, passion comes first. If you have the passion you can work other things. I have seen girls that have natural skill but no passion. It’s the passion that drives players to be successful. They want the ball, they want to win.

Q. Best player in the Super League this year and why?
A. Tamsin Greenway. She was the kingpin pin in the Surrey attack, especially in delivering the ball to the circle and a player that most teams failed to stop.

Q. What age did you realise that you first had a future in netball?
A. 14. At 14 I was already playing for ladies leagues and up age groups.

Q. What are the first key skills that you look for in a player?
A. The exceptional key skill I look for in a player is the instinctive ability to play the game. There is an instinct to it that comes naturally and can’t really be taught only embellished. Tuning skills are also crucial, as are the basics. Every player must have the basic skill and fundamentals of ‘land, pass, catch, pass’.

Q. What are the top three Tracey Neville netball ‘no, no’s’?
A. 1. WD offside on a centre pass.
2. Pass out on a penalty pass shot.
3. Footwork in the centre circle.
Also defenders slapping / stroking the ball, it not only gives a free shot to the opposition but highlights you instantly to the umpires.

Many thanks to Tracey for taking the time to talk to us!