Netball protégé Kira Rothwell admits she has been inspired by Team England’s record-breaking Commonwealth Games, as she plots her own route to the top.

The Londoner was in Birmingham as part of the Team England Futures programme and says she is now focussed on playing at the next Games in Australia.

And the 21-year-old, who plays at goal attack or wing attack for London Pulse in the Vitality Netball Superleague, has been identified by Team England as someone with real potential when it comes to playing in future Games. 

With netball not being part of the Olympic programme, the Commonwealth Games provides the sport with the greatest amount of international exposure. 

As a result, Rothwell believes English success at the Games could provide it with a boost similar to the one women’s football received as a result of England’s first-ever triumph in the Women’s Euros this summer. 

“I think this is a really important competition, especially for England,” Rothwell said. 

“I’m getting shivers talking about it already, but I remember watching the Games from the Gold Coast [in 2018] and England beating Australia by one goal at their home. 

“Every time I don’t want to train or I don’t want to do my shooting exercises, I think about that moment Helen Housby scored the winning goal, thinking ‘I want to score that goal.’ 

“Having that legacy that affected me, doing a similar thing at these Games will affect the next generation of girls and having it at home makes it that much bigger. 

“These are all massive team sports that all girls know about and it makes such an impact when we do well.” 

Team England Futures seeks to better prepare athletes to deliver medal-winning performances as either Team England, Team GB or ParalympicsGB debutants at future Games, while also giving support staff a first-hand look at the opportunities they could be presented with, as well as challenges they may face, at a multi-sport competition.

While she supported the Roses during their campaign to retain their netball title from 2018, Rothwell was also able to meet athletes from other sports while in Birmingham. 

In doing so, they are given a first experience of a multi-sport event, which includes a behind-the-scenes look at some of the facilities that have been provided to competitors. 

Rothwell said: “In a team sport, or in any sport in fact, you just stay within your sport and a lot of your competitions, like a World Cup, are just your own sport. 

“It’s actually really rare for us because we don’t have an Olympics, so the Commonwealth Games is the only time you get to meet other athletes. 

“I watched the badminton and got to learn about their scoring system and finding out when speaking to the other athletes how they have similar challenges. 

“What they’re going through is really similar, so it gives me confidence for the future.” 

Commonwealth Games England has appointed SportsAid to lead on the development, management and operational delivery of Team England Futures at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. You can find out more about the programme by visiting https://www.sportsaid.org.uk/partnerships/team-england-futures/.