Gold Coast 2018: Blue and Gold duo ‘overwhelmed’ after helping England win historic gold at Commonwealth Games
Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Kadeen Corbin will return to Team Bath Netball this week as history-makers after helping England win Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold in magnificent fashion.
The Blue and Gold duo were both part of a Roses team that won the coveted title for the first time with a sensational 52-51 victory over hosts and favourites Australia, victory being secured by a Helen Housby goal in the last second of an epic final.
Beckford-Chambers, who was a pillar of strength in defence, said: “What a final! I’ve been in the England programme for nearly 15 years and this is the culmination of all that hard work.”
Attacker Corbin added: “Oh my God, I am overwhelmed. This medal represents everything we have dreamed of and today is the pinnacle. We finally did it – we’ve made history!”
WOW. I still just can't quite believe it. The epitome of hard work, determination, resilience, unwavering belief and a Team 1st attitude. ❤ 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist ❤ Homeward Bound 😁😁😁! @TeamEngland @EnglandNetball @GC2018 #netball #TeamAndCountry pic.twitter.com/LbrFDZQxzX
— Eboni B-Chambers (@EboniBChambers) April 16, 2018
The victorious Roses team also featured former Team Bath players Geva Mentor, Serena Guthrie and captain Ama Agbeze.
Beckford-Chambers and Corbin are heading straight back to Team Bath, who resume their 2018 Vitality Superleague campaign with a visit to defending champions Wasps on Sunday (3pm).
There are seven opportunities for sports fans in the South West to see the returning heroes in the Blue and Gold at the Team Bath Arena this season, starting with a home match against Celtic Dragons on Friday, May 4 (7.30pm). Click here to buy tickets.
This a pretty boss celebration after England shocked Australia to win their first #GC2018 Netball gold medal. pic.twitter.com/pyzlKAlKGU
— Ann Odong 🐨 (@AnnOdong) April 15, 2018
The netball golds mean that University of Bath-based sportspeople are returning from the 2018 Commonwealth Games with an impressive haul of 17 medals. British Swimming National Centre Bath star Siobhan-Marie O’Connor also won gold when she defended her 200m individual medley title, while there were seven silver and seven bronze.
University of Bath alumnae Natasha Hunt, Amy Wilson Hardy and Deborah Fleming – who used to play netball for Team Bath – also helped England’s women win bronze in the rugby sevens on the final day of competition, courtesy of a 24-19 victory over Canada.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games – Roll of Honour
Gold: Eboni Beckford Chambers (netball, England), Kadeen Corbin (netball, England), Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming, England, 200m individual medley).
Silver: Eilidh Doyle (athletics, Scotland, 400m hurdles), James Guy (swimming, England, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, 100m butterfly, 4x100m medley relay), Vicky Holland (triathlon, England, mixed team relay), Cameron Kurle (swimming, England, 4x200m freestyle relay).
Bronze: James Guy (swimming, England, 400m freestyle), Anna Hopkin (swimming, England, 4x100m freestyle relay), Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming, England, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay), Leon Reid (athletics, Northern Ireland, 200m), Chloe Tutton (swimming, Wales, 200m breaststroke, 4x100m medley relay).
