Nat Metcalf's Emotional Return to Netball Super League After Motherhood
England netball star Nat Metcalf is preparing for an emotional return to the Netball Super League with Manchester Thunder, following the birth of her daughter Miller in May. Having once been entirely focused on her netball career, Metcalf is now approaching her comeback with a healthier balance between sport and motherhood.
Inspiring Comeback Journey
Metcalf returned to competitive action with England in December and will play her first Super League game since the Grand Final in June 2024 when Manchester Thunder face defending champions London Pulse on February 27. The 33-year-old described feeling emotional about her return to elite netball after becoming a mother.
"I feel emotional even just thinking about that," Metcalf said, with tears in her eyes as she discussed playing for England post-pregnancy. "It was something I wanted and was so motivated and determined to do. And to have Miller there was incredible."
Finding New Motivation
During her pregnancy and early motherhood, Metcalf found inspiration by watching videos of her previous performances for England. "I remember being early on in the gym and I would put old videos of me playing for England on the screen," she recalled. "I would watch that and think 'this is what I am working towards.'"
However, Metcalf emphasized that her purpose has happily changed since Miller's arrival. "But having Miller there, it gave me a whole new purpose and it was amazing to be able to share that with her," she explained.
Supportive Partnership
Metcalf will make her return with the support of Thunder's assistant coach Laura Malcolm, with the pair remarkably giving birth to their daughters just four hours apart. "We would catch up every Thursday at training and discuss pregnancy and motherhood," Metcalf said. "We went on the journey together."
She praised Malcolm's support throughout the process: "I have known Malcs for years, we played at Thunder together, played together for England, she was an amazing player and is now a formidable coach, so it was amazing to share the pregnancy journey with her. She taught me a lot, and helped me become very prepared for motherhood, so I am very thankful to her for that. It's great to now watch our babies grow up together."
Strategic Development During Pregnancy
At 33, Metcalf is approaching the latter stages of her career, but used her time away from the court while pregnant to find ways to improve her game. The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist coached Thunder's NXT GEN squad and attended every training session prior to giving birth.
"From a playing aspect, I got to watch a lot of netball," Metcalf explained. "Even before, when I was playing, I watched netball all the time, but I had a different take on the sport and I would see people do things where I was like, oh I want to try that when I get back playing."
She continued: "I don't think you ever know everything and I definitely still have lots of areas that I can develop in my game. Watching others and taking new things and new skills was something I thought was a good motivator for me."
New Perspective on Life and Sport
Metcalf acknowledged a significant shift in her perspective since becoming a mother. "I have had a shift in perspective," she said. "I was so consumed by netball, and it was the be-all-and-end-all. But now Miller reminds me that it is just one part of who I am, and I get to be mummy Nat to her. It is really good, she gives me a lot of balance."
Her return to the Netball Super League represents not just a sporting comeback, but a demonstration of how elite athletes can successfully balance professional careers with motherhood while maintaining their competitive edge.
