Stepping up to the NSL side for the first-time next season, 18-year-old Lincolnshire talent Georgie Brock-Taylor has enjoyed success at every level of Lightning’s structure, beginning her time in the U13 academy side and featuring for the U19 side at just 15 years old.
Now studying a Loughborough University accredited foundation course in Sports Coaching with Loughborough College, Brock-Taylor will look to manage her studies alongside competing for the Academy and the University BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) squad. As a 2022 training partner Brock-Taylor will not only be looking to develop her own game but also push Lightning’s preparations to the next level in 2022.
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On her signing, she said:
“I’m thrilled to be a training partner this season, I’ve been in the Lightning pathway since I was 11 and this was always the aim from the beginning.
“I’m so excited to learn and improve from the senior players and coaches and push myself to the next level.”
Having also featured for the Roses Academy in 2019 and 2020, where she won Gold at the U17 Netball Europe competition, Brock-Taylor is now keen to progress at domestic level.
Joining Brock-Taylor as a fellow training partner next season is 21-year-old Loughborough University student, Clara Miles.
Coming through the Wasps pathway and competing in the Premier League for Linden Netball Club, Miles first stepped into the purple dress for Lightning’s U21 side when making the move to Loughborough University to study Sport Management. She soon settled into life on campus and captained the side in 2020.
Now undertaking a placement year with Kings High School in Warwick, Miles will continue to develop her professional career alongside her playing career as a training partner for Lightning’s NSL side.
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“I’m excited to be a part of the Loughborough Lightning NSL squad for this season,” she said.
“It’s something I’ve been working towards from being in the U21s Lightning NPL team for the past few years. Also, being a student at Loughborough University makes Lightning the perfect place for me to be.
“I’m looking forward to starting preseason training and building on connections within the team. Hopefully we can have a season like the last one and bring home the trophy again.”
Supporting both players in their development is Vic Burgess, Loughborough Lightning Assistant Coach and Performance Pathway Head Coach, who credits the athletes’ hard work in gaining such an opportunity.
“I am immensely proud of Clara and Georgie who have both been part of the Lightning Pathway for a number of years, it is so exciting for both athletes to be rewarded for the hard work and commitment to the Lightning Pathway.
“It has been a pleasure to watch them develop as athletes on and off the court and I am excited to see what this new challenge will bring.”
With just three spots left to confirm in Lightning’s squad for 2022, watch this space closely to see who will be joining Clara and Georgie on court next year for Lightning’s title defence campaign.
Confirmed squad so far:
- Georgie Brock-Taylor
- Mary Cholhok
- Ella Clark
- Beth Cobden
- Alice Harvey
- Jess Haynes
- Hannah Joseph
- Suzie Liverseidge
- Clara Miles
- Nat Panagarry
- Hannah Williams
- Zan Vimbela