“The Next Quarter”: NPA Expands Team to Power New Player Development Programme

The Netball Players Association (NPA) is delighted to announce the appointment of two new team members, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of its new player development programme, The Next Quarter. 

Thanks to funding from the Jacobs Futura Foundation, the NPA has been able to grow the size of its team and strengthen its ability to support players on and off the court. Over recent months, the NPA has been in a discovery phase for The Next Quarter, consulting players, clubs, and stakeholders across the game and from other sports to shape a programme that will meet the evolving needs of athletes at every stage of their careers. With the new members of the team, the NPA will grow from a team of 3 to 5 individuals, all of whom will be there to support the players to gain better access to the services that the NPA offer.  

Joining the NPA as Player Development Managers are Mairead McErlean and Gabby Marshall. 

• Mairead McErlean brings a wealth of experience as a former semi-professional rugby player and in athlete support and welfare, having served as Athlete Support Manager for the Southern Academy for Sport. A University of Bath graduate and former Club Captain, Mairead has also worked with Switch the Play as an

  Athlete Transition Coordinator and was Welfare Lead at the Nike x Chelsea FC residential football camps. She now also works with Commonwealth Games England and will balance that role alongside her new position with the NPA. 

  

  
  

• Gabby Marshall, a recently retired international and Superleague netballer, is one of the NPA’s founding members. With more than 12 years’ experience in high-performance sport, Gabby has demonstrated outstanding dedication to both her sporting and professional development. Alongside her physiotherapy degree and a successful playing career, she has established herself as an Executive Coach, Youth Mentor, and Performance Lifestyle Advisor. Gabby also works with Humanise Solutions, The Kelly Holmes Trust, and TASS, and is motivated by helping individuals of all ages progress in their personal development. 

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  The NPA is also currently recruiting for a NPA Administrator to further strengthen the team  

Liz Bloor, NPA CEO said: “This is an exciting moment for the NPA. With the support of the Jacobs Futura Foundation, we’re able to invest in player development like never before. Mairead and Gabby each bring unique expertise, passion, and experience that will help us deliver Next Quarter and ensure players are supported at every stage of their journeys.”