England’s Netball World Cup finalists hoping to inspire

London Pulse’s Chelsea Pitman hopes England’s tremendous 2023 Netball World Cup run will inspire the next generation of netballers to don the red dress and go a step further in bringing home the sport’s ultimate prize.

The Vitality Roses, coached by Jess Thirlby whose footballing father Chris Garland had spells with hometown club Bristol City and Chelsea, reached their first World Cup Final since the competition introduced a final four knockout stage in 1991.

But they were overpowered by a ruthless Australia who claimed their 12th title with a convincing 61-45 victory at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Origin Diamonds, who lost 56-55 to England in the group stages of the tournament, were just simply a class apart from the moment they began capitalising on their 27-23 lead after the second quarter.

And that was the moment wing attack Pitman, 35, who played alongside Pulse team-mates Jade Clarke, Barking-born Funmi Fadoju and Olivia Tchine in Sunday’s final, believed Australia firmly took control of the game.

“I think in the first half that our defendable winning ball just wasn’t taking it through to goal,” she told Sky Sports.

“The real simple things in netball and they (Australia) just chipped away at the lead. 

“I know for myself when I came on the lead was wide, I think it was about ten, I just knew I had to get that ball into the shooters really quickly and just try our best.

“They stuck to their game plan and we just tried to have answers for it and that’s why they are so successful when it comes to World Cups.”

Despite the defeat, Australian-born Pitman was proud to be part of England’s squad, adding: “For us to create history throughout this World Cup, getting a win over Australia in the round games and then to make this final, is something to be proud of.

“Obviously we wanted the gold but it wasn’t meant to be. Australia played their skins out and we just couldn’t match them.

“I’m so honoured and blessed to call myself a Rose and to be here at a World Cup with this team and to have achieved success for us and history.

“This is what you dream of as a little girl and I hope we have inspired a country and generation of future netballers to want to pull on this dress and go one better for us.”