A REMARKABLE individual living in Basingstoke is making waves in the world of netball.
Sheonah Forbes is making her mark as the u17-u19 academy head coach for England Netball, and leading the u18 group to the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago, and taking on the role of part-time head coach for the Northern Ireland Warriors team.
Sheonah's appointment as the head coach for the Commonwealth Youth Games has brought a wave of excitement and pride.
She said the opportunity to lead her talented group of players on the international stage was a dream come true.
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"I've never been to the Commonwealth Games before, or any international game on that scale," Sheonah said.
"So really excited. And I've been with this particular group for a couple of years now, it just seemed like icing on top of the cake that I get to lead them in a Commonwealth Games."
As she sets her sights on the Commonwealth Youth Games, Sheonah is determined to guide her team to success.
With fierce competition ahead, she acknowledges the challenges but maintains an optimistic outlook.
"We're hoping just to get out of the group, get semifinals and finals, hopefully make the final is our aim," Sheonah said.
"We've got a really competitive group. So obviously we're going for the win, but finals would be amazing."
She will travel to Tobago with the team on August 1.
Beyond her involvement in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Sheonah plays a pivotal role as the u17-u19 academy head coach for England Netball.
Her responsibilities include nurturing young netball players and preparing them for the challenges of the senior level.
Her journey into coaching began after an ankle injury during her university days, which led her to become a performance analyst for Loughborough Lightning in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
She steadily progressed through the coaching ranks, benefiting from the guidance of notable mentors like Tracy Neville and Karen Greig.
Since 2018, Sheonah has been coaching in the academy, diligently shaping the future stars of netball.
While juggling her commitments with England Netball, she has recently taken on an additional role as the part-time head coach of the Northern Ireland Warriors team.
Despite the demands of her multifaceted coaching career, Sheonah has always remained connected to her roots.
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Originally from Portsmouth, she and her husband chose Basingstoke as their home to raise their family, recognising the town's appeal and convenient transport links.
Since settling here in 2019, they have embraced the community and found a place they proudly call home.
Sheonah's coaching journey has not been without its obstacles. She acknowledges the barriers that young netball players face, such as travel logistics and managing athlete well-being, both physically and mentally.
However, she prides herself on building strong relationships with her athletes, ensuring their overall development and understanding their unique circumstances.
Looking ahead, Sheonah has set her sights on coaching in the Commonwealth Games in 2026, particularly with the Northern Ireland team.
Additionally, she aspires to coach at the World Youth Cup in 2025, an event that showcases the brightest young netball talents on the global stage.
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