Netball Super League | Fan Focus: Jamie Burch

In March, Celtic Dragons travelled to Glasgow to take on Strathclyde Sirens. It was Dragons’ furthest away trip of the season and they wouldn’t have been expecting big away following, however, one fan did the job of a hundred and cheered on his side to a fantastic victory.

Jamie Burch took on the home crowd and made his voice heard over the top of hundreds of Sirens fans. His enthusiasm and encouragement didn’t go unnoticed with several Dragons players taking to social media to thank Jamie for his support.

jamie burch tweets

Ahead of the reverse fixture, we caught up with Jamie to find out more about his story, how he thinks the Vitality Netball Superleague season will go and his love of netball.

So, firstly how does a Dragons fan end up in Glasgow?

I’m currently studying Acting at Drama School at the Royal Conservatoire of Acting.

How long have you followed netball and Dragons for?

I’ve been following the netball since I was 14, I’m now 22. I’ve been a Dragons fan for over 3 years.

How was it being one of the only Dragon fans at the venue?

I genuinely think I was the only Dragons fan there that night, which is understandable as it was so far.

I didn’t really just think about it. If anything I think it would have only made the Dragons play better having the loudest Welshman there. I was competing against groups of people, and school children. I was on my feet. People were recording me and Facebook living me.

That was Dragons’ first win over Sirens (third attempt) and the players reached out on social media to say how much they appreciated your support. How does it feel knowing you contributed to their victory?

Well, I had no clue until my friend who’s in the Welsh Netball set-up sent me a screenshot. I was grateful, was just doing my job for the girls. They do their job, I do mine.

What do you remember from the game? Is there a particular moment that stands out?

I just remember the umpire telling our Jamaican GK Stacey Facey to tidy up and me shouting “and again Facey!”

Do you have a favourite player on the Dragons side and why?

It has to be Nia Jones for me, she’s so tenacious and scrappy and is always contesting. She’s so vocal and a real character in the league, on and off the court. She is our very own Sharni Layton who I adore.

Who do you think will finish in the top four of the Vitality Netball Superleague?

Wasps, Saracens, Manchester Thunder, Team Bath if they get Serena Guthrie and Eboni Usuro-Brown back in the squad, but if not Loughborough Lightning.

You’re a huge netball fan, what is it about netball that you love so much?

I always played it in primary school, stopped at high school and sometimes play mixed league. For me, I love the speed, the strategic side of the game and the player on player marking.

Everyone always questions when I say netball. But once they watch it and see these women put their bodies on the line they take it back. Strong women killing it!

Tickets are now available for the Vitality Netball Superleague Big Easter Weekend!

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