Netball: Soccer cup finals come second to Star series

By Suzanne McFadden

Tracey Neville was torn between coming to New Zealand to play netball for England, or staying home to watch her famous brothers play soccer.

The English goal-keep arrived in Auckland yesterday, "gutted that she would not see her brothers, Gary and Phil Neville, play for Manchester United in the finals of the FA Cup and the European Cup over the next fortnight.

The Nevilles are a tight-knit lot. The three siblings still live at home with their parents in Bury, just north of Manchester.

"I've been to every one of the boys' games this season, Tracey Neville said. "I couldn't believe they had a draw [against Liverpool] last night - I hope it's not a bad omen when I leave the country.

The Nevilles' mum usually travels the world with Tracey on her netball excursions, but on this trip to New Zealand for the Star series, mum has stayed home for the first time.

"It's too busy at home - it's not every week you get to play in the European Cup final, Neville said.

Dad is usually at the soccer. In fact, Man United fans sing a song about him to the tune of David Bowie's Rebel Rebel: "Neville Neville, that's the name of their dad.

"Don't laugh about his name, his daughter said. "He's a big man.

Even as a tot, Neville would play football with her brothers in the backyard.

"But as we got older we did our own things. I've played netball since I was 11, and Gary was on the Manchester United books when he was 11, she said.

"They can't travel to watch me play but they support me out of netball. I never miss out - they've bought me a car, and they treat me all the time.

Neville moved back home with the family last year. She took a year's leave from her teaching studies to play at the Commonwealth Games, where England won bronze.

At 22, Neville is one of the old hands in the English squad. She has played 23 tests since she joined the team three seasons ago.
"It will be a big shock to us. A lot of the team haven't played at this standard before, she said. "We have to travel 24 hours to find the competition we need before the world champs.

"We want to come home from the world champs [in Christchurch in September] with something better than bronze. Maybe it won't be this year, but I think one day it will.

England have a week to overcome jetlag before their first game in the series, against the North Zone team in Auckland next Friday. They play Central in Palmerston North two days later, and South in Christchurch before the series final in Dunedin the following Friday.

The squad then fly across the Tasman for a three-test series against Australia.