For England coach Colette Thomson, there was one final duty to address on home soil before the squad departed for Australia this weekend as their rigorous tour schedule got underway.
Earlier this year Colette was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours for her services to netball and today she made the trip to Buckingham Palace to collect her award.
Before journeying into coaching, Colette had an illustrious playing career, playing for her country for 13 years. A first cap was proudly received in 1975 and she made four appearances in the World Netball Championships. When her playing career ended in 1987, a total of 89 caps had been amassed.
Colette had a passion for coaching and wanted to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of England netballers. Coaching at all levels of the game has meant that netballers of all abilities have been lucky enough to be coached and schooled by the ex-England international.
She has coached within the Superleague, Team Bath her franchise in the first two years of the competition, then onto Loughborough Lightning. Colette has also been at the helm for Premier League outfit Linden, based in the Midlands. She led the England team at last year’s World Youth Netball Championships and returned to Glasgow this summer to assist Anna Mayes’ squad.
A magnificent achievement for Colette Thompson and recognition of her tremendous service to England Netball.
