England Captain Nat Metcalf Returns to International Netball After Motherhood
England captain Nat Metcalf will make her return to international netball this weekend, playing against Jamaica in her first game since giving birth to her son Miller in May 2025.
Miller, now seven months old, often accompanies Metcalf to training camps as she aims to demonstrate that motherhood and elite sport can successfully coexist. Metcalf has expressed a strong desire for Miller to see her competing on the court.
She discovered she was pregnant in September 2025 while on tour with England in Australia and informed her teammates honestly. England Netball framed her temporary absence as related to an ongoing medical matter.
Metcalf's birth involved an emergency caesarean section, and her postpartum recovery was marked by physical helplessness and fatigue. Her husband Josh’s remote work arrangement has enabled him to support her and attend training sessions.
To find inspiration and support, Metcalf joined a WhatsApp group of elite international athlete mothers, founded by Jo Pinner, which includes 27 British women from 16 different sports.
Though she initially planned to return to play after six months, Metcalf skipped last month’s 2-1 series defeat by New Zealand to complete her final preparations. The domestic Netball Super League is set to start in February 2026.
Metcalf is a Commonwealth Games champion and was a finalist at the 2023 Netball World Cup. She turned 33 on December 9, 2025, and is motivated to create lasting memories with her son Miller.
The netball mother community has been a significant source of encouragement, with England Netball president Eboni Usoro-Brown and players like Iona Christian and Joyce Mvula among those balancing motherhood and sport.
