In The Press
Elsley named England vice-captain
From The Bath Chronicle Sat 12 May, 2007
Bath teacher Clare Elsley has been named vice-captain of England’s netball team and will lead her country out against either Australia or New Zealand in the Netball Test Series this week.
The announcement comes ahead of the World Netball Championships, which take place in New Zealand in November.
The upcoming series gives the England players a chance to test their progress against the current top two world ranked nations.
England are currently ranked fourth – behind Jamaica in third – and are hoping to build on their bronze medal success at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Elsley combines a gruelling training programme with her teaching career as head of physical education at The Royal High Junior School.
She puts in two hours before school each morning and the same afterwards, while one night a week is spent with the England squad in London or Loughborough.
On Thursday nights, she travels to Cardiff to meet up with her club, Celtic Dragons for netball Superleague training or matches and, on Saturday, has another session in Loughborough with England.
“Amateur athletes train just as hard as those in professional sports,” said Elsley. “The difference is we have to work full-time as well.
“I am very fortunate to get such strong support from the school and I hope that the knowledge and experience that I have gained will continue to benefit the school when my playing career is over.”
Elsley made her England debut against South Africa in 2004 and was watched by staff and pupils who travelled to Birmingham to see the match.
“Clare is a fantastic role model to both junior and senior pupils,” said Royal High director of sport Zoe Tucker.
England’s first fixture in the series is against Australia in Manchester tomorrow.
An 
A