Natalie Haythornthwaite Talks To Sportsvibe About The Netball Superleague, University Life and Her England Hopes
For the best of us, juggling our favourite hobbies with university life can be a struggle at the easiest of times. Be it socialising or failing to turn up to lectures due to the inevitable hangover from the night life brought about by the uni culture, the large proportion of us have struggled to find an even balance.
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For Natalie Haythornthwaite, it has become part of her daily routine that takes her from everyday university lectures to training with the Yorkshire Jets.
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The 22-year-old wing / goal attack is currently studying to become a speech therapist at Leeds Beckett University, but with the JetsÛª season opener with Loughborough Lightning on Friday night the youngster has had to divide her time between netball and life on campus.
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Yorkshire go into the season hoping to improve on a disappointing campaign last year, in which the side finished seventh out of eight teams. With Haythornthwaite fully focused on turning things around this year, the youngster admitted that she canÛªt wait to step out onto the court for the first game of the 2015 campaign.
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Speaking exclusively to Sportsvibe, she said: ÛÏIt seems as though a lot of us have gone away and done our homework this year. We have strengthened the squad ahead of the new season and IÛªm really excited.
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ÛÏLast year we were a little disappointed with where we finished, which was in seventh but the play-offs are a realistic goal this season.Û
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With Sky Sports set to broadcast 14 rounds of live Superleague action throughout the season, the talented student knows that it is imperative her side get off to an impressive start if they are to have any chance of challenging near the top of the table this season.
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ÛÏWe have to start performing really well. There is not enough time to have a bad game or a bad day. There is a difference to last year with a number of international players coming in.
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ÛÏThe Superleague in whole has raised its game so nobody can afford to have a bad game. At the end of the day whoever the team is that is performing well will be the team that wins the competition.Û
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The Jets will face a Loughborough side on Friday that finished bottom of the league last term. Regardless of how the table played out in 2014, many in the netball community have pointed out how this could be the most challenging of seasons for all involved.
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Despite her tender years, Haythornthwaite has plenty of experience behind her. Having led England Under-21s to the semi-final of the World Youth Netball Championships in 2013, she will again act as vice-captain of the Jets behind skipper Lauren Potter.
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The extra responsibility has not been a burden to the English talent, and she admits that she enjoys the responsibility. ÛÏI do like it. Despite only being 22 I like to think that I am approachable on the court and a leader as well so I am really looking forward to it. I like the responsibility.Û
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When not on the netball court you can usually findåÊ Natalie focusing on her degree, and while she admits that the days can be demanding, she jokes that her hectic schedule means no sleepless nights.
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ÛÏWe train early mornings so once that is done I will head to uni and then back to training. It is difficult but you just have to try and get into a routine. I am the kind of person who likes to do that so you just have to handle it.Û
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When questioned on her decision to study speech therapy, she confirms that it was a book she read with great enjoyment that persuaded her to take that particular career path.
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ÛÏTo be completely honest I read a book called The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time c which is about a boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome.
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ÛÏI thought that I had no idea about speech disorders or speech impediments or the like. I just thought it was really interesting and that spurred me on to take up speech therapy.Û
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The youngster admits that dealing with all of the challenging modules of the course alongside her netball career has been tough, but she loves every second of it.
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Yorkshire will this season be taking their home fixtures to a variety of different venues. While she jokes that the Jets will have to travel just as much for home games as they do for away fixtures, Natalie believes that it will help increase support in the team.
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ÛÏI donÛªt really see it as a disadvantage. I think it will be great to go out and play at these different venues because for one it will help the club attract a number of new fans.
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ÛÏIt will be a challenge, but we will just have to do a lot of travelling I guess.Û
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With the Netball Cup just months away, Haythornthwaite is already on the radar ahead of the squad being selected. She admits that it the thought of being selected does cross her mind, but it is vital to focus on what is immediately in front of her.
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ÛÏObviously everyone is up for selection for the squad and everyone wants to perform well as an individual. There is lots of people watching to see if you have improved so it does play on the back of your mind.
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ÛÏIÛªd love to make the squad, but for now I just have to focus on my individual performance and try to improve my own game. If I can do that then hopefully I will be picked up in the near future.Û
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With interest in netball increasing everyday among young girls, it is refreshing that young talent such as Natalie can stand out as a role model for those taking up the sport. England may not be favourites for the World Cup, but make sure to look out for the name Natalie Haythornthwaite, no doubt a star for the future.
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Sky Sports will show live action from all 14 rounds, both semis and the final of the Netball Superleague as part of the channelÛªs biggest ever year of womenÛªs sportåÊ