Rock Up Netball is pleased to announce the recruitment of five female ambassadors in an effort to encourage women throughout Victoria to get active and enjoy a new way to play netball.
Current Melbourne Vixen and English International Geva Mentor will be joined by the likes of former teammate and Australian netball great Cath Cox, retired World Champion Australian Diamond Rebecca Bulley, leading social media influencer Sophie Shaw (The Young Mummy) and former West Coast Fever and Australian Institute of Sport Head Coach Sue Gaudion.
All five ambassadors will help promote the program and assist in the delivery of Rock Up Netball sessions to ultimately help Victorian females to ‘join in, get social and enjoy the Rock Up Netball experience’.
Mentor has been involved with Rock Up Netball since its launch in February 2015, taking the next step as an official ambassador leading into the 2016 ANZ Championship season.
“Over the past few months I’ve coached several Rock Up Netball sessions and seen first-hand how easy and flexible this new model of playing netball can be for the everyday woman,” Mentor said.
“Having the flexibility to enjoy our game whenever you like, whether it be by yourself or with friends, is something we need in our busy lifestyles because it’s not only important for our health to stay active, but it also has to be a fun experience at the same time.”
“Rock Up Netball brings all of these elements together and that’s why I’m excited to work in this space and get more people involved and back playing netball, whatever age or skill level they may be.”
For more information regarding Rock Up Netball sessions please visit www.rockupnetball.com.au
Ambassador Profiles:
Geva Mentor
England international Geva Mentor has competed in the ANZ Championship since the inception of the competition in 2008. After three years with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Mentor joined the Melbourne Vixens in 2011, and is a two-time premiership player. Known for her stunning intercepts and quick defensive footwork, Mentor is one of the biggest names in the game and was awarded the Sharelle McMahon Medal (Melbourne Vixens Most Valuable Player) in 2012, 2014, and was a joint winner in 2015.
Cath Cox
Former Australian Diamonds and Melbourne Vixens shooter Catherine Cox called time on her illustrious netball career in 2014, finishing with 108 international caps to her name since making her debut for Australia in 1997. One of the games greatest shooters and one of only four Australian players to record 100 international Test appearances, Cox won world championships in 2007 and 2011, Commonwealth Games gold in 2002 and captained her country nine times in her 16-year international career.
Rebecca Bulley
A former Victorian State representative, the ever reliable defender Rebecca Bulley holds the distinction of being the first athlete to win three ANZ Championship premierships at three different teams – NSW Swifts (2008), Adelaide Thunderbirds (2013) and Queensland Firebirds (2015). Bulley announced her retirement from the Australian Diamonds team following the triumphant gold medal at 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Sophie Shaw – The Young Mummy
A junior Victorian representative and former state league player, Sophie Shaw picked up her first netball at the age of three as she filled in for her older sister’s teams. Still an avid netballer and passionate supporter, Sophie is also a social media sensation with her blog The Young Mummy attracting a large following from both men and women around the world.
Sue Gaudion
As a RUN Coach Ambassador, Gaudion has a wealth of coaching experience at state, national and international level. A popular media personality and key member of the netball commentary team covering the ANZ Championship and International Netball Test Series, Gaudion has developed the RUN Coaching Manual.
