A Team Profiles
Kneeling (left to right): Natalie Cowie Bridget MacKenzie Hannah Gale
Not pictured: Yvonne Beadle Kelly Hutton (Captain) Petra Keogh Kirsty Smith Lois Tucker
| Name: Claire Risk Position: Goal Defence/Goal Keep/Wing Defence Year Born: 1979 Home Town: Timaru, New Zealand Lives: Snaresbrook, North East London Height: 1.75m Occupation: Physical Education Teacher Claire played Premier club netball in NZ from 2000-2005 before taking some time off for travelling. After some strong defensive performances for the B team in the 2007/08 season, Claire has made the step up to the A Team and is looking forward to the challenge. |
| Name: Krista Priscott Position: Goal Shoot/Goal Attack Year Born: 1978 Home Town: Hamilton, NZ Lives: Putney, London Height: 1.80m Occupation: Photographer Having previously played for the Otago Rebels in NZ’s equivalent of England’s Superleague, Krista is a key player in the A team’s shooting circle with her high level of accuracy and experience. Her value was demonstrated when she was awarded Cumberland’s Player of the Year in the 2007/08 season. |
| Name: Georgina Partridge Position: Goal Defence/Goal Keeper Year Born: 1979 Home Town: Torquay Lives: Tufnell Park, London Height: 1.76m Occupation: Financial Consultant Although having previously played for Loughborough University and Middlesex County, George is a relative latecomer to the sport of netball and continues to improve year on year in leaps and bounds. She is a solid circle defender with a strong presence in through court attack. |
| Name: Andy Johnson Positions: WA/GA/GS Year Born: 1978 Home Town: Otago, NZ Lives: Hampstead Height : 1.78 cm Occupation : Investor Relations Andy was one of the original Kiwis to join Cumberland and is now into her 4th season with the club. |
| Name: Becky Swarbrick Position: Centre/Wing Defence Year Born: 1984 Home Town: Altrincham, Manchester Lives: Highbury, London Height: 1.72m Occupation: Strategy Consultant Becky played Greater Manchester County Netball from 1997 to 2003 moving on |
| Name: Laura Paulin Position: Centre/ Wing Attack Year Born: 1981 Home Town: Sydney Lives: Teddington, London Height: 1.74m Occupation: PE Teacher Originally from Clyde, NZ, Laura grew up in Australia playing for Coffs Harbour, North Coast Academy and Sydney University. Laura has risen through the ranks of the club and has secured her A team mid-court position with her flair and speed and is known for always ensuring she is wearing a dash of pink. |
| Name: Polini Langi Position: Goal Defence/Goal Keeper Year Born: 1980 Home Town: Queanbeyan, Australia Lives: Clapham Junction, London Height: 1.85m Occupation: Finance & HR Manager Polini is a former Australian State representative in both netball and basketball and was a member of the AIS Canberra Darters (Australian equivalent of Super League) and the Australian School Girls Basketball team. She is known for her tight circle defence, strong rebounding and vision. |
| Name: Natalie Cowie Position: Goal Defence/Goal Keeper Year Born: 1980 Home Town: Glasgow Lives: Brondesbury, London Height: 1.8m Occupation: Client Services Director for an Integrated Creative Agency Natalie has played netball since age 11 having previously played for Ryland NC, Worcs County, West Mids Dvpt Squad, Brighton University, Bournville NC, and Birmingham County. She is a tenacious defender with boundless energy and unlimited enthusiasm for the game. |
| Name: Bridget MacKenzie Position: Anywhere except WA! Year Born: 1979 Home Town: Blenheim, NZ Lives: Bayswater, London Height: 1.77m Occupation: HSE, Metronet Rail Bridget is the most recent addition to Cumberland A having been coaxed back to netball after travelling from NZ in 2005 where she was a respected long term Premier club player in Christchurch as well as being a member of a variety of age group and senior representative teams. She also brings coaching and committee experience to the club making her a valuable new addition. |
| Name: Hannah Gale Position: C, WA, WD Year Born: 1976 Home Town: Wellington, NZ Lives: Bethnal Green, London Height: 1.73m Occupation: Travel Hannah is a recent addition to Cumberland after a break from the sport following her move to London from NZ in 2005. Her vision, superior fitness levels and deft passing have added an exciting new dimension to the A Team’s midcourt. |
| Name: Yvonne Beadle Position: Wing Defence/Centre Year Born: 1975 Home Town: Cambridge/Birmingham/London Lives: NW London Height: 1.68m Occupation: Contract Manager Yvonne has played netball since school and has played for various Counties and clubs in Cambridgeshire, Birmingham and Middlesex. Yvonne is a long serving and respected member of both the club and the A team and her skills on the wing provide the backbone for our mid-court defensive combinations. |
| Name: Kelly Hutton (Captain) Position: GA, GS, WD, GD, GK Year Born: 1974 Home Town: Christchurch, NZ Lives: Finsbury Park, London/Taunton, Somerset Height: 1.81m Occupation: Financial Services Kelly brings a wealth of experience to Cumberland having previously played for the Canterbury Flames, (in NZ’s equivalent of England’s Superleague), NZ Universities and NZ Indoor teams. Having recently made the transition from Defence to Attack, she adds height and vision to our shooting circle. |
| Name: Petra Keogh Position: C/GD Year Born: 1976 Home Town: Cape Town, South Africa Lives: West London Height: 1.85m Occupation: Company Director Having started playing netball in South Africa at the age of 7, Petra earned a number of representative caps for at both provincial and national level, she re-established her playing career in London in 2003. Petra is a fast, energetic centre and uses her height and reach to full advantage in the mid court. Her commitment and competitive nature ensures she is a dominant force in both attack and defence. |
| Name: Kirsty Smith Position: Wing Attack, Goal Attack, Goal Shoot Year Born: 1978 Home Country: New Zealand Lives: London Height: 1.76m Occupation: Teacher/Social Climber Having previously played at National League level in NZ, Kirsty adds to the wealth of experience in |
| Name: Lois Tucker Position: Wing Defence/Centre/Wing Attack Year Born: 1983 Home Town: Plymouth Lives: North Finchley, London Height: 1.77m Occupation: PA Lois played for club and county before moving to London and joining Cumberland NC in 2006. Lois is a keen runner and was a respected 800m and 200m runner before fully committing to netball. Known for her exceptional speed and agility, Lois is a key player for the A team at her specialist position of WD. |