Clinton happy to learn from best

WEAR WITH PRIDE . . . Amy Clinton

KNOWN for converting high-pressure shots with ease and consistently having among the best shooting averages in the domestic and international game, role models don't come much better for young shooters than England's Jo Harten.

And it was Harten-like composure which Amy Clinton displayed when the 19-year-old was tasked with entering a nauseatingly-tense Manchester Thunder game to replace regular shooter Joyce Mvula in the final quarter.

Thunder were chasing down Loughborough Lightning's lead in the closing minutes, Clinton somehow blocked out the deafening noise in a sold-out Thunderdome to calmly turn and score in the dying seconds.

But in all the chaos, the final whistle had blown and Clinton's shot hadn't counted. It was a particularly tough pill to swallow for the Oldham-born player, but the real story is that she scored a goal even the great Harten may have missed.

Clinton was used mostly as an impact sub by Thunder coach Karen Greig in the last Superleague season.

It worked and most importantly, a more-mature-than-her-years Clinton understood why.

As she prepares for next month's World Youth Cup in Botswana, Clinton said: "When I sit on the bench, I am always learning, I want to get whatever I can."

The England under-21s star added: "It didn't bother me sitting on the bench as I learned from the game going on and watching Joyce was really helpful as she's so good."

Despite still only being in her teens, Clinton has been playing high-level netball for almost 10 years, having been recruited by Mike Greenwood at the Oldham Netball Club, a common story for North-West netballers who have potential.

SWITCHED

Initially a defender, it was Oldham coach Pam Hazelton who switched her to shooter, due to her exceptional height.

Hazelton has made a huge impression on shaping Clinton's burgeoning career, for which the youngster is forever grateful.

Clinton, a former pupil at St Paul's School in Royton, went on: "I have been playing since Year Four. I always enjoyed it, but I didn't love netball at first.

"I played in local leagues and then I went to a Thunder camp and Karen (Greig) was there coaching.

"I went to a match and I ran up to Mike Greenwood all excited and he said I was tall and that I should come to Oldham. They took one look at me and said 'you're a shooter'.

"So from then on, I've worked on my shooting, thousands of times over. I was so rubbish at first."

Clinton has featured in the England development set-up for several years, and was drafted into the senior Roses squad for the first time, for the home international series with Jamaica.

Clinton may not have gained any court time for that trio of tests, but it was a valuable experience.

Her dedication to her sport is paying off, but the rising star is keen to pursue something else next year and is looking to study accountancy at university.

One career she will not be pursuing is coaching, but she certainly has some great ones to emulate if she changes her mind.

"I'd hate to coach or umpire, it's not for me," she declared. "I have so many good ones and it's great to play with players I used to watch, like Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey.

"I've been around Karen since I was 14 and she really knows her stuff. Liana Leota is just amazing. She is always talking to me and giving me advice on court and I have really come on since she has been involved with Thunder."

The talented athlete, who is also a purple belt in jiu jitsu, may only be at the start of her netball career, but she already knows how to win, having graduated from a multiple-title-winning NPL squad to the Black and Yellows team .

Used to being Harten's 'fan girl' Clinton is still getting used to attention from the Thunder fans.

She finds it "really cool" that supporters still ask for a selfie even though she "hasn't played much".

"A few years back I was walking into weights with England and I said 'mum, that's Jo Harten' and freaked out," said Clinton.

Clinton may have been the super-sub last season and, despite being comfortable waiting in the wings, her idol Harten may need to start looking over her shoulder.

The master could soon be replaced by her protégé.