Netball legend Jeeva Mentor is setting ambitious goals for her return to the UK

Geva Mentor hopes her return to the Netball Premier League will help boost the sport.

The legendary defender is set to make her first Premier League appearance in more than a decade when she plays for Leeds Rhinos in their opening match of the league season in Nottingham on Saturday after returning from a glittering career Down Under.

The 39-year-old has cemented her place as one of the game's best goalkeepers during her 15 years playing in Australia, but she will now hope her presence at home will help English football continue to grow following last summer's run to the World Cup final. .

“I won't shy away from the fact that there's only one person, but my experiences, good and bad, that I've had abroad can help me come in and add value whenever I can,” Mentor said.

“I want to keep doing everything I can as just one person. I know I won't be able to change the world overnight, but I'm happy to raise issues and ask questions.

“I still challenge myself, and I still want to be a part of it all and learn from those around me. I want to empower and inspire those around me, but also learn from them. I've had a growth mindset, and I can still get better.”

“I'm excited to explore, and I'm not really sure what to expect. I know the game has evolved a lot, but you can see that on the international stage the game is much faster and more physical.

“There are more international players playing in the Premier League now, which is definitely healthy to be able to play in different styles.”

Mentor returns to playing netball in the UK for the first time in a decade (Getty)

Mentor returns to the UK at an exciting time for the sport following last summer's Netball World Cup, which saw England reach the final for the first time before losing to Australia.

The Roses also recorded their first group stage win over the Aussie Diamonds, England's only win in a major tournament at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The tournament in Cape Town saw UK viewing figures rise by more than a million to 5.6 million, and Mentor, who played his 175th and final match in the final, believes it is time for the sport to benefit from additional viewership information ahead of the tournament. Competition. New national season.

“The competitive beast in me has been destroyed by not being able to move forward, but I think about what we were able to achieve, which was to beat Australia in a two-legged match, something we had never done before in a major tournament and prepare for the World Cup,” she added. “The chance to win gold was Huge.

“We are starting to get more coverage and the more we can capitalize on those advantages, the better it is for the sport.

“My mum picked me up from the airport and we stopped at a service just for a coffee, and there were three or four people who came up to me and said they watch me and they love netball, and I was really surprised.

“Being in a completely unfamiliar place, with no equipment, and people coming up and asking for a photo and talking to you, then you can see the change and the difference.”

The season opener marks the start of the 2024 Netball Super League season and takes place on 17 February. For tickets, visit the England Netball website