Netball Super League | Everitt out to avenge London Pulse’s Grand Final defeat in 2024

Zara Everitt wants to avenge last year’s final defeat and take London Pulse to Netball Super League victory in 2024, writes Ayisha Gulati.

The 2023 season saw London Pulse power to the top of the table for the first time in their history, losing only two of their 18 regular-season games along the way.

The Copper Box Arena-based outfit then booked their place in the Grand Final with victory over Surrey Storm in the last four but fell at the final hurdle against Loughborough Lightning.

But Everitt is hoping to channel the hurt of last season’s defeat to take that final step this time around.

“We want to win this year,” said Everitt. “A few teams will say the same, but we definitely have that extra fire in us because we came so close last year.

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“That’s the competitive nature of us as athletes. We did get a trophy for topping the league, but it’s not quite the same. This year, it would be nice to have two trophies instead of one.

“As a club, we have to build year on year so the only way to continue that trend is to take the trophy this year. It will be disappointing if we don’t win.”

Pulse reached the unchartered territory of a Grand Final last June where they faced experienced finalists Loughborough Lightning, competing in their third straight showpiece.

Despite being ahead at the halfway point, Pulse let their lead slip and eventually lost 57-48, an experience Everitt believes the team can learn from.

She added: “We built on the previous season by having consistency across last season and stringing wins together.

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A post shared by London Pulse Netball Team (@londonpulsenetball)

“But this year, we have to be able to make sure we can put 60 minutes together when the pressure is on.

“It’s really important to use the highs and lows of the final. If things start to turn on us in a more pressured match, we need to step up earlier and recognise the momentum swings, which is something we talk a lot about in netball.”

Day to day, Everitt balances netball with a career in law, what she jokingly referred to as her “big girl job.”

After rupturing her Achilles in August, she has been juggling her opportunities at work alongside rehab and training hard to be ready for the season.

She said: “It’s always a challenge to be a dual-career athlete but there’s a lot of crossovers and I try to engage those qualities as best I can.

“Some of the qualities I have gained through netball, such as leading teams, definitely help me in my legal career and vice versa; the analytical skills I use at work, I use those in netball as well.”

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A post shared by Zara Jael Everitt (@zarajaeleveritt)

Everitt has temporarily stepped away from the full-time England programme to focus on her legal career, but she revealed she has ambitions to pull on the red dress again in the future, with three caps currently to her name.

She added: “My dream has always been to play for England in a major competition and that’s definitely still on my radar.

“I’m looking forward to just playing well for myself and for the team.

“If I can put out some strong performances that will help me and my England prospects, that would be great.”

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