The Best Netball Podcast EVER!

Guest co-host Lauren Nicholls joins Carla for a fantastic conversation with Wales Netball stars Emily Handyside, Nia Jones and Millie Carter. The trio chat about representing Wales, balancing the demands of elite netball, and the pride that comes with pulling on the red dress at international level. From pathway journeys and team culture to the realities of preparing for major tournaments, this episode is packed with insight, honesty and plenty of personality. Whether you’re a player, coach or passionate fan, there’s something here for everyone - plus enough laughs to prove that even international athletes still spend half their time trying to remember who packed the snacks. Thanks to our brand new partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/ Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode! The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs.   Let's Connect 🗣️ Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related.  Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: [email protected]   YOUR HOSTS Krystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera. Carla Garey A self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆). When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.

In this episode, Krystine and Carla are joined by Lauren Palmer and Harriet Jones from Leeds Rhinos Netball for a brilliant chat about team culture, elite competition and life inside one of the most exciting environments in the Netball Super League. The pair open up about balancing pressure and performance, building connections on court, and what it really takes to compete week in, week out at the highest level. There’s insight for players and coaches alike, plenty of behind-the-scenes stories, and enough dressing-room banter to prove that team chemistry might just be the Rhinos’ secret weapon… alongside a very competitive snack selection. Thanks to our brand new partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/ Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode! The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs.   Let's Connect 🗣️ Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related.  Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: [email protected]   YOUR HOSTS Krystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera. Carla Garey A self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆). When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.

In this jam-packed episode, Krystine and Carla dive into one of the most nerve-wracking parts of any netball journey - trials. Featuring insights from experienced coaches and players across grassroots, pathway and elite levels, this episode breaks down exactly what selectors are looking for, how to stand out, and the biggest mistakes to avoid. From mindset and preparation to performance under pressure, it’s full of practical advice for players, parents and coaches alike. And of course, it wouldn’t be this podcast without a few laughs along the way - including snack-based “carb loading” and the reality of trying to look fit in a beep test! Thanks to our brand new partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/ Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode! The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs.   Let's Connect 🗣️ Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related.  Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: [email protected]   YOUR HOSTS Krystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera. Carla Garey A self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆). When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.

Krystine and Carla are joined by the hugely experienced Jacqui Newton for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about coaching, development and the future of netball. Jacqui shares her journey through the sport, her approach to building strong team cultures, and the importance of creating environments where players can truly thrive. From grassroots to performance pathways, the discussion is packed with practical insights for coaches and players alike - alongside honest reflections on the challenges that come with leading teams. It’s a motivating, insightful episode… with just enough laughs to remind everyone that even the most organised coaches can’t control everything on game day. Thanks to our brand new partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/ Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode! The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs.   Let's Connect 🗣️ Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related.  Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: [email protected]   YOUR HOSTS Krystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera. Carla Garey A self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆). When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.

Krystine and Carla are joined by four stars from Loughborough Lightning - Shadine van der Merwe, Victoria Burgess, Ella Clark and Alice Harvey - for a lively and insightful look inside one of the Netball Super League’s top teams. The group chat covers everything from team culture and training standards to match-day preparation, on-court connections and the personalities that make Lightning tick. With stories from elite competition, honest reflections on pressure and performance, and plenty of dressing room banter, this episode is packed with energy, insight and laughs - proving that even the best teams still argue over who brings the snacks. Thanks to our brand new partner Akuma Sports - For top quality custom kit produced in the UK, visit: https://www.akumasports.com/sports/netball/ Please follow or subscribe so you don't miss out on any new content. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, you won’t want to miss an episode! The opinions and suggestions in this podcast are intended for entertainment only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions — we just provide the laughs.   Let's Connect 🗣️ Want to be included in a future episode? Please reach out and share anything Netball (or life) related.  Instagram @thebestnetballpodcasteverTikTok @thebestnetballpodcastGood ol' Email: [email protected]   YOUR HOSTS Krystine Strama aka Kris / princess Netball-obsessed, I’ve been hitting the court for over 15 years — and I’ve just celebrated the big 5-0. By day, I’m an HR Manager; by night, I’m a netball playing fine-dining enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of wine. One day, you’ll see me living my other dream: starring in a soap opera. Carla Garey A self-confessed netball addict, I’ve been playing for nearly 14 years and basically live and breathe the sport (my husband insists on calling it “a hobby,” but we all know better 😆). When I’m not on court, I’m running multiple businesses, wrangling my five kids, and squeezing 20 tasks into every day. I work at 100 miles an hour and get more done before lunch than most people manage all week — fuelled entirely by Diet Coke and donuts.