Many of you will know Lily Fletcher and what a steady rise she has made in netball circles in the last three years.

It’s hard to believe that Lily only left Christchurch Girls High School last year, is now studying at Lincoln University under a Sports Scholarship and already this year has represented Christchurch Netball Centre at Under 19 leve and made the Tournament Selection Team, won the top Premiership title at the Christchurch Netball Centre with Lincoln University A and has now recently been named in the Christchurch National Championship team to compete in Wellington next week.

We find out more about Lily Fletcher and where it all began.

When did you first start playing netball? And when did you start playing in Defence?

I started playing netball when I was 7 years old back in the UK for High March School and as soon as I arrived in New Zealand in 2006, I starting playing as GA and C for Sumner Redcliffs at the age of 10. However, when I reached high school, I began specialising in defence where I have played ever since.

What influence has your family been?

I have had amazing support from my parents right from the start and very rarely have they missed opportunities to see me play. My dad was a keen sportsman and played rugby for 17 years back in the UK and my sister who is one year older was also a netballer up to 3 years ago.

What other interests/pursuits do you have?

I am a keen volleyballer and my team came second at secondary school nationals back in 2013 and then I captained the side the following year. Surfing and hanging out with my friends on the beach in my spare time during the summer months is also hobby of mine.

We also hear that you’ve done some modelling

Yes, I have done some modelling over the past 5 years for recognised brands such as Skins, Ballantynes, Wildsouth and Speedo and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

How do you maintain such a high level of fitness?

My sporting scholarship at Lincoln University requires me to have to attend the gym with a specific training programme three times a week as well as two fitness sessions per week on top of normal team trainings.

Do you have any mottos that you follow?

I don’t have any specific mottos that I follow, however have always agreed with this quote. “Ability is what you’re capable of. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

What do you list as your other sporting achievements (apart from those above)?

I was in the CNC Under 17 representative team for two years. In my second year that I was in Under 17’s, we won the national title that year. I was also Captain of the CGHS Senior A Netball team for 2 years.

How do you feel going in to your first National Championships?

Now that I’ve made NPC I’m looking forward to the whole experience playing at this level and seeing how I stack up against some of the best players and teams around the country and not think twice about how being the youngest in the team could disadvantage me in any way. I’m also now hoping that I can be further recognised in the future development of my netball pathway.

Lily joins the Christchurch National Championship Team in their title defence starting 28 September in Wellington.