Netball Super League | The First Interview: Herdman enjoying life from a new perspective

Lucy Herdman’s route to becoming a starting goalkeeper in the Vitality Netball Superleague has been an unorthodox one, but now she’s loving life from a different perspective in the circle.

Herdman began her career as a goal shooter with Team Bath and Celtic Dragons, before a change of positions came two seasons ago.

The 26-year-old went from scoring goals to stopping them, and while she admits she still loves to take aim from inside the circle, she has now signed on for another year at Severn Stars with defence the priority once again for 2023

“The last two years, I’ve just worked really hard learning the new position,” said Herdman. “I had a good first season there and last season was about being consistent and trying to cement myself there.

“I’ve really enjoyed the last two seasons. I still shoot for my Prem side, so I kind of get the best of both worlds – for me I love that.

“Although I’ve always loved shooting, and I still do, I’ve had a good two seasons under my belt with not that much individual coaching.

𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 2022

Lucy Herdman
🌟Most Improved player

Lucy has had an absolutely AMAZING season. 98 turnovers & 47 interceptions 🤯 there was no better person for this award 🤩

Congratulations @Luce_herdman 👏

📸 @benlumleyphoto /@CliveJonespr l pic.twitter.com/XFd4V13xbH

— Severn Stars VNSL (@SevernStars) June 5, 2022

“For me to come in quite late, it excites me with what I can do. It excites me knowing that I’ve done an alright job, I’ve been noticed in two years of playing there, it can only get better and I just want to learn more in the defensive end.”

Herdman’s form in defence earned the approval of other sides in the Vitality Netball Superleague, but the University of Worcester graduate was happy to stay in the Midlands.

Stars will be under new management next season with the arrival of head coach Jo Trip, and Herdman admits that conversations with the Kiwi have got her looking forward to next season already.

“I had a lot of decisions to make this year,” added Herdman. “I’ve finished my masters now at Worcester, I had a few offers, but just sitting down and talking about the season ahead, Jo [Trip] getting announced, having conversations with her. I’ve been in Worcester a while now, it seemed right.

“It seemed really exciting having the conversations with Jo around signing and what she’s expecting from the team. It seemed to fit quite nicely.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Stars, going into my fourth season now – I’m just really excited to get going. A new look team, that excites me a bit more, and everyone is raring to go.”

Trip arrives at Stars with plenty of work to do with the side that finished bottom of the Vitality Netball Superleague last season.

And while Herdman admitted her disappointment in how last term played out, she insisted there were plenty of positives to take into 2023, where ambitions are high.

What a signing 🔥@Sophie_DL makes the switch from Team Bath to Surrey Storm ahead of #VNSL2023

Read what she had to say about one of the biggest moves of the summer 👇

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) September 5, 2022

“It was quite a frustrating season because we knew we were much better than that,” added Herdman.

“The team spirit was never affected, everyone had each other’s backs and it felt like there was a really good vibe, just the results weren’t coming.

“It’s a complete new-look team, it’s really exciting to get in there, get connections gelling early on, it feels really exciting to be a part of.

“Everyone that has come in has said we want to make top four. Last year we finished bottom, we don’t want that, we want top four and the hard work starts now.

“We’re all on the same page off court, so hopefully we can get into training, get gelling and hopefully it will be a really good season.”

Anticipation for a new season has never been higher than for the 2023 Vitality Netball Superleague season, with the Commonwealth Games showcasing the sport to more and more spectators.

The atmosphere in Birmingham was something to behold, and Herdman encouraged fans to get themselves down to as many Superleague games as possible next season, where she thinks games will be more competitive than ever.

🇳🇿 ✈️ 🇬🇧

Ellie Bird has switched hemispheres to arrive @RhinosNetballSL for #VNSL2023 🦏

Read what the shooter had to say about moving to the UK 👇

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) September 8, 2022

“We all say we want every game on Sky, and we could do with more coverage for those who can’t make games,” said Herdman.

“But actually, there’s no better experience than going to a game and being part of the crowd.

“I went to the Commonwealth Games and the atmosphere was insane; you don’t experience that watching the games on telly.

“It’s still great, but you go to a venue – you’ve got the electric atmosphere and the netball.

“It’s trying to encourage people, if they can, to come to a game and once you’ve experienced it you’ll get the bug and you’ll want to keep coming.

“There’s so much movement this year. Netball Twitter is going crazy.

“It’s quite exciting to see the player shift and it opens up the league so much.

“I think it’s set to be a really competitive season, which is great for the sport – it’s what you need.

“It’s really important for the sport going forward that it is a really competitive league across the board.”

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