Posted 21st Jul 2019

“Very proud moment” as Serena Guthrie and Eboni Usoro-Brown help England to podium place at 2019 Netball World Cup

Team Bath Netball co-captains Serena Guthrie and Eboni Usoro-Brown won a third successive bronze medal with England as the 2019 Netball World Cup came to an emotional conclusion in Liverpool.

After a heartbreaking 47-45 defeat to eventual champions New Zealand denied them a first-ever World Cup Final place, the Vitality Roses dug deep to finish the home tournament on a rousing note by beating South Africa 58-42 in Sunday’s bronze-medal match.

Guthrie, who was an inspirational captain for England, told the BBC: “This group will be disappointed that we didn’t reach the final but to be able to stand on a podium in front of our home fans, friends and family is a very proud moment.

“You have to understand the journey behind the medals and how tough the competition is. World netball is as tight as it has ever been and we knew we would get what we deserved at the end of the competition, which was a bronze medal.

“We went out and fought against New Zealand, gave everything we could, and it wasn’t good enough. You have to accept that as an athlete and we are extremely proud to win bronze.”

Both Guthrie and Usoro-Brown, who started every game at GD and won her 100th cap during the tournament, had won bronze with England at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.

They then helped the Roses clinch a historic gold medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and England looked to build on that in front of their home fans in Liverpool, winning all of their group games in impressive style.

However, a resurgent New Zealand side – who went on to stun Australia 52-51 in the final – had the edge in Saturday’s semi-final, overturning a 24-21 half-time deficit to record a 14th World Cup victory over England.

The Roses squad also included former Team Bath players Geva Mentor, Rachel Dunn and Layla Guscoth, whose tournament was sadly cut short by a ruptured Achilles.

The Player of the Tournament award went to another former Blue & Gold star – Karla Pretorius who was one of three ex-Team Bath players in the South Africa squad that finished fourth overall, alongside Lenize Potgieter and Zanele Vimbela.

Vangelee Williams helped Jamaica place fifth, Sports Performance graduate Shaunagh Craig was part of a Northern Ireland team that came tenth overall and Claire Maxwell captained Scotland to 11th overall.

Did you watch the Netball World Cup on TV and want to experience netball at first hand? Come and join us in the Team Bath Arena during the 2020 Vitality Superleague season – click here for more details.

Other news articles

A graphic promoting Team Bath Netball 2026 NXT Gen League home fixtures. It features two girls holding up blue and gold placards with "Nxt Gen" on them.
Save the dates! Here’s when you can watch Team Bath Netball during the 2026 NXT Gen League season as fixtures are confirmed

Back-to-back Friday fixtures at the Team Bath Arena will provide an exciting start to what promises to be another memorable NXT Gen League season for Team Bath Netball. London Pulse and Nottingham Forest will provide the opposition on 23rd...

Read More
Jess Thirlby, Eboni Usoro-Brown and Clare Elsley stood in front of blue and gold ribbons at Team Bath.
“Incredible honour” as Team Bath legend Eboni Usoro-Brown is appointed as Honorary President of England Netball

Eboni Usoro-Brown, one of Team Bath Netball’s and the Vitality Roses’ most decorated players, has been appointed as Honorary President of England Netball. The appointment was confirmed at the 2025 England Netball AGM, held on Saturday 13th September, and...

Read More
A graphic featuring headshots of players wearing Team Bath Netball kit. The players are (from left) Dani Carr, Lilia Davies, Immi Shaw, Matilda Smyth, Zoe Maynard, Madison Sims and Alanna Pullen. Behind them is a blue smoke design and there are Netball World Youth Cup 2025 and Team Bath Netball logos in the respective top corners.
Emerging Team Bath talent take to the global stage in Gibraltar for 2025 Netball World Youth Cup

Several Team Bath Netball players will be showcasing their talents on the global stage when the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup takes place in Gibraltar from 19th to 28th September. NXT Gen League shooter Dani Carr has been named...

Read More
Team Bath Netball Sponsors
Partners and Suppliers