The fact that the second Quad Series will be co-hosted by England and South Africa however, will be a big boost to Neville’s team, giving the Roses the indispensable home advantage that the Australians previously profited from.
“We saw the effect that London had on the GB athletes,” recalled Neville, “And for any home nation, it does have that effect on you.”
Though the Sport England Board has yet to decide on funding and participation targets for the next few years, the news in recent weeks that sports like badminton and archery would be losing their funding is a worrying trend in less mainstream sports.
With funding sources uncertain, netball remains a sport that thrives on participation and exposure, especially as the two go hand in hand with success. The fact that all Quad Series matches are to be broadcast on Sky Sports is a big boost for the sport, and Neville is grateful for that.
The Roses are currently third in the world rankings but have performed poorly in recent months, losing a test series against Jamaica earlier in the month.
“If you actually look at where we are on form at the moment, we’re probably ranked in that fourth position,” said Neville.
“The clash in January was a match against number four in the world, and although we lost it, there were some good opportunities for us to take that performance.”
Neville also highlights the importance of rotation at this point in the four-year cycle.
“We’ve had experienced players coming in and out of each of those test series and it’s now about exposing players and getting them out on court.
“The way that they’ll get that experience is to play against the best, so for us the objective was always about having a different squad going into this test series and playing a different combination and giving them the exposure.”
Sky Sports will show all matches of the Netball Quad Series live on Sky Sports Mix beginning with England v South Africa at 3pm on Saturday 28 January.