Neville to set a legacy

Photo: Darren Robinson

Northern Thunder’s Debbie Hallas (left, franchaise director), Suzy Chapman (assistant coach), Tracey Neville (director of netball) and Pamela Hazelton (franchaise director) at the club’s Wright Robinson College base in Gorton.

NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder director of netball Tracey Neville wants to follow in the late Mike Greenwood’s footsteps by setting a successful legacy.

The 34-year-old sister of footballers Gary and Phil could not hide her delight at returning to the club she played for in 2003.

And she said Greenwood — who passed away at the weekend following a long battle with illness — was the perfect template for building a title-winning team as she bids for glory in the Fiat Superleague.

He won a record-breaking 40 junior titles for Oldham, coached England at youth level and transformed Thunder from also-rans into high-fliers.

Neville said: “Mike did an absolutely tremendous job for Oldham and Northern Thunder and hopefully we can do him proud.

“The great thing about netballers in Oldham — and I am sure Mike played a huge role in this too — is their unbelievable work ethic.

“Netball is huge in Oldham, that is something of which I am well aware, and long may it continue.”

With the season getting under way on January 23 against Yorkshire Jets, Neville is in no doubt what the aim for the new season is.

“I want us to win. We have to be challenging for top honours so I will do everything I can to help us go for first place,” she added.

The arrival of Neville brings welcome relief for assistant coach Suzy Chapman, who was not relishing the prospect of juggling her full-time job at Oldham Council’s integrated youth service with her Thunder commitments.

“I am over the moon to be working with Tracey, in fact it is an honour because she has been there and done that,” said Chapman.

“This is a full-time job in itself. I was willing to do it but it would have been extremely difficult.

“It is a privilege to have Tracey on board. Not only is she a massive presence in the dressing room, she brings the kind of profile that can kick us on to the next level.”