The Superleague's over, but it never stops for Eboni Beckford- Chambers

ENGLAND star Eboni Beckford- Chambers reveals why there's more to netball than just throw-and-catch...

TRAINING HARD England goal keeper Eboni Beckford Chambers TRAINING HARD: England goal keeper Eboni Beckford-Chambers

When she's not studying for her law finals, Eboni Beckford-Chambers is busy drumming up support to get netball into the Olympics.

Or she is dividing her time between defending for the England senior squad and captaining the U21s.

Or she's training with reigning Superleague champions Team Bath or representing her university on court.

And between matches the 21-year-old full-time Bristol University student is working on her fitness and technical skills up to seven days a week.

"I start the week with an evening technical session - two hours of skills-based training with a group of netballers at Bath," she told Express.co.uk.

The Team Bath GK also plays for the England seniors and U21s The Team Bath GK also plays for the England seniors and U21s

"I do weights on Tuesday afternoon with my strength & conditioning coach. Then its home training with England for two hours in the evening.

"Wednesday I play for BUSA (British Universities Sports Association) and Thursday it's another weights session and Superleague training.

"Friday I get to rest or I do a speed and agility session.

"Saturday I have matches and Sunday is usually a rest day."

Eboni almost forgets to mention the recovery sessions of pilates and yoga which are also slotted into her gruelling schedule.

Her dedication to the sport may explain why she has emerged as the frontwoman for netball's Back The Bid campaign - to get netball into the Olympics.

Her Facebook group has attracted 41,000 members - all supporting the cause.

And netball sponsor, the Co-operative, has taken it a step further - getting celebrity backing from Denise Lewis, Cherie Blair and Mark Ramprakash.

Consequently Eboni can't stand seeing netball belittled as a game for schoolgirls.

She said: "It's not throw-and-catch or 'hot potato' as men love to dub it!"

The Surrey-born student has been selected to captain the U21 squad for the World Youth Championships in August.

The squad recently had a taste of what to expect with their April test series in Jamaica - where the England players were said to be "dropping like flies" in the heat.

Eboni describes the 10-day visit, where the team lost two matches and won their third, as a "steep learning curve".

She added: "I was really quite honoured to take the team out to their first major test before the WYC."

"The matches were very physical and Jamaica have a completely different style - very aerial. They can jump for miles!"

Although bowled over by the physicality of the games played in Jamaica, the U21s saw remarkable improvements in their game.

Eboni knows this taster will be crucial this summer when they face Jamaica again in the Cook Islands - alongside the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Botswana and South Africa.

Her only gripe is the lack of money. British netballers are famously not paid for international appearances.

She said: "It's unfair we don't get paid considering the amount of training that we do and the commitment and dedication we show to our sport.

"Most of us have full time jobs as well."

Eboni vows to continue her Back the Bid campaign and hopes that it will help netball get the "profile and support it deserves" - as a professional sport.

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