Lydia Harrison hopes to power her way into the Netball Youth World Cup

Megan Armitage

Lydia Harrison, netball star, hopes that expanding her network on and off the court will help her get to the Youth World Cup.

Loughborough Lightning Pathway’s 18-year-old player is part U19 Roses Academy. He revealed that he has fond memories of his time on the international stage.

The Roses camp in November was full of new people and opportunities. As preparations for the 2025 Youth World Cup, Gibraltar, ramp up, the midcourter is happy to have a wide sporting network throughout the country.

“My camp in November was brilliant,” said Harrison, who benefits from financial support from Boost Drinks – a company born over 20 years ago with a vision of energising everybody in every way and is committed to supporting its local communities, whether this be fuelling them with its range of Sports, Energy, Iced Coffee, and Protein Drinks, or by getting more involved to help them achieve their goal.

“It was all all about creating connections – it’s quite a young squad so it was really great to be at camp with all the girls.

“It was about introducing girls to the academy, learning key principles, and understanding how they are executed.

“We played Wales U21s Sunday. It was where we consolidated what we had learned.

“It was really nice to be challenged during that game as they have some great players.

“All people get along really well because they do similar things. You can also see the England girls at club competitions when you work with your franchise.

“It’s nice to have so many connections with people all over the country.”

Harrison was part of the Leeds Rhinos’ netball team for most her teenage years. This is why she will always have a special place in her heart for the Super League team and their contribution to her development.

However, while studying at Loughborough University, I was able to build relationships and train with Loughborough Lightning.

Harrison, along with Josie Pointon as her coach and teammate, now has Vicky Burgess, Lightning head coach, and a host of experienced players at her disposal.

Harrison said that Rhinos was a constant in my life, having worked there for five years. “It was difficult to move to Loughborough because I felt like they had some loyalties to me,” Harrison added. Harrison is one of more than 1,000 athletes who are supported each year by SportsAid during the early stages.

“But I knew Loughborough University was the right university for me, and I wanted to go there.

“It was difficult to leave Rhinos. But, I loved how Loughborough coach and how well it is connected. It also made me meet a lot Super League girls.

Vicky will often take over for Josie, our full-time coach. This is brilliant.

“Many of the Super League girls are also on the university team so it’s fun to play with them.”

Harrison is aspires to be a netballer and has access to the best netballers in England.

She stated, “My goal for the next few decades is to become a training partner of a Super League franchise, and then eventually play for that starting seven.”

“It is a significant step, but it is the ultimate goal.

“Englandwise, there are some competitions coming up in the latter part of the year with talks about a trip, so I would like to be selected for them.

“And there’s a Youth World Cup in 2025 – so I’d love to be selected and go to that as well.”

Through its partnership, Boost Drinks gives young athletes financial support and recognition. Each athlete receives a £1,000 award which contributes towards costs such as travel, accommodation, and equipment – for more information visit www.boostdrinks.com