Neville, 30, amassed more than 70 international caps before suffering a serious knee injury which has kept her from the domestic and international arena for two and a half years. But now, following extensive rehabilitation, Neville is set to exchange her place in the Sky Sports netball commentary booth and return the game which she loves.
"I am delighted to announce that I will be trialling for Brunel Hurricanes this forthcoming Superleague season," she said. "A serious knee operation nearly three years ago not only brought my international career to an end but became the start of one of the most difficult periods in my life".
Now looking fitter and healthier than ever, Tracey has endured an intensive period of recovery which has reignited her spark and passion to play at the top level. "The turning point came when I contacted Bill Knowles from Isport Orthopaedic clinic in America, an athletic trainer who has been working very closely with some of England's top rugby players and a specialist in knee rehabilitation. Undertaking a gruelling rehabilitation programme since Easter, which has been monitored by my close friend Marion Lofthouse, has given me a chance to play a sport which has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years".
Neville certainly has a wealth of experience under her belt; she has represented England in two Commonwealth Games and two World Championships. The shooter and attacker believes that despite her break away from the sport and providing she stays fit, she still has plenty to offer and is keen to be involved in a thriving period for netball in the UK. "I have no doubt that I am mentally tough enough to compete and play against the best. Physically I hope that I am able to achieve this goal and firstly I want to be selected into the Brunel Hurricanes squad for the new Netball Superleague season."
Neville certainly has a wealth of experience under her belt; she has represented England in two Commonwealth Games and two World Championships. The shooter and attacker believes that despite her break away from the sport and providing she stays fit, she still has plenty to offer and is keen to be involved in a thriving period for Netball in the UK; "I have no doubt that I am mentally tough enough to compete and play against the best, ".
Neville, who represented Northern Thunder in the Netball Super Cup (the precursor to the current Netball Superleague competition) prior to her injury, now intends a life changing move from Manchester to London and is convinced that Hurricanes is a team going places: "I have no doubts that this year Brunel has the potential to be a serious competitor in the final and I am excited that I could be a part of this".
The Netball Superleague restarts on 27 October 2007. Further information about matches and squads is available at www.englandnetball.co.uk
