England Netball check in to St. George’s Park

St. George’s Park’s reputation for providing elite teams with best-in-class facilities to train, recover and relax was strengthened further this week, as we played host to the Vitality Roses – the senior England netball team – for their first-ever training camp at the venue.

Throughout their stay in Staffordshire, the team trained in the Steve Daley Sports Hall, and also benefited from the elite performance and recovery facilities, while staying at the on-site Hilton hotel.

The Roses become the latest in a long line of elite teams outside football to host a training camp at St. George’s Park, with previous visitors including both the men and women’s England senior rugby union teams, the England cricket team, LIV Golf and many more.

“We usually train out of Loughborough, where the centralised programme is based, but I think we’ve really learned – both as staff and players – that a change of environment is a really great punctuation in an intense international window,” explained head coach, Jess Thirlby.

“It was a no-brainer for us, and the exclusive use of the facilities has been brilliant. It feels more like a home rather than feeling like a tenant. Things have been set up to allow us to naturally move from the court to changing rooms, treatment, PA sessions, recovery, in a way that you’d expect a national team to be able to. The environment and setting have been really nice too; to be able to get out for a little jog in the morning. I think the proximity of everything makes what we’re doing a lot easier.”

England are currently in their training programme ahead of three games against New Zealand in November, with tickets available to buy now. With those games on the horizon, Jess highlighted how the flexibility provided by St. George’s Park’s facilities has been optimal for the team’s preparation.

“We’re doing a big physical block, although a lot is covered through the game itself, so to have a lot of space around the court has given us real flexibility with some of our varied groups. We have players that have just returned to us from Australia and others that are in their seventh week of training, while others are rehabbing. St. George’s Park has enabled us all to stay together and be around each other more often, rather than operating in silos. That’s really important for the culture of the team.

“The girls have been putting a bit of a shift in,” added Jess. “To be able to access the recovery facilities, and the right recovery for the right time after different sessions, is a really important win for us right now to help the players’ bodies adapt to some of the hard work.”

As always, nutrition and rest play a significant role in athletes’ energy and recovery, which is why the hospitality provided by our on-site Hilton Hotel has been highly commended by elite teams in the past – the Vitality Roses being no different.

“The Hilton has been brilliant,” said Jess. “The rooms are great, they’re really spacious. 

“The food is excellent,” Jess added. “The freshness of it, the variety, the volume has been perfect. We really trust that a venue like this, which is used to having teams in, is aware of the requirements of athletes. Our nutritionist and our ops manager, Paul, received the menus early and were able to make any tweaks needed. It was really nice to have a welcome dinner, where VIP guests from Commonwealth Games England and some former Roses players joined us.

“I really recommend the environment,” Jess enthused. “Whether it’s for our sport or not, the environment both in and out of the facility is ideal. The spaces are great, the surroundings are lovely, and the staff are really supportive. Everyone has gone out of their way to make it a really positive experience for us. 

“I’d recommend it to any team of any sport, and we’re really lucky that we’ve found a space that serves our needs.”

During the team’s stay at St. George’s Park, Jess was also able to sit down with England’s men’s U21 head coach, Lee Carsley, to reflect on their own experiences, as well as sharing their insights and perspectives as both teams prepare for respective campaigns.

All at St. George’s Park wish England well in ahead of their matches in November and beyond.