Nat Metcalf Returns to England Netball After Motherhood
Nat Metcalf has made her return to the England netball team for a two-match series against Jamaica in London, marking a significant comeback after becoming a mother. Her seven-month-old daughter, Miller, born in May via an emergency caesarean section, was present to witness her first centre pass at London's Copper Box Arena.
Metcalf, who turned 33 recently, described her postpartum recovery as challenging, with a gradual return to physical movement. She rejoined England training when Miller was three months old, with support from her husband, who was working remotely. To aid this transition, Metcalf joined a WhatsApp group initiated by Jo Pinner, consisting of 27 British elite athlete mothers from 16 different sports.
Her pregnancy occurred in September 2024 while the England team was preparing for a three-match series against the world number one in Australia, an event initially explained by England Netball as an "ongoing medical matter" at the time of her departure. The current comeback is timely as the Netball Super League season is set to start in February, ahead of her domestic duties.
Metcalf hopes to inspire her daughter Miller by demonstrating that it is possible to pursue one's dreams and return to top-level sport after motherhood.
