Beth Cobden’s career has included Commonwealth Games high gold but three-legged ACL injuries
“I never thought he could go again, you see. Then he did. In my mind now either [knee] I could go again, so I had to do a lot of work with the sports psychologist to get my head around that.
“I don’t believe that [concern] I will leave forever, until I retire. It’s just about managing those thoughts and making sure they don’t take over. “
When Beth Cobden was returned to England, everyone involved in English netball was delighted and in Australia, there were many who were saddened to see her leave their shores.
These thoughts and feelings are a testament to Cobden ‘s talent in court and her lively and warm personality. The 27-year-old gives so much to any team that she is a part of it and the difficult journey she has taken within the sport she loves, has given the -all within the world of netball.
Cobden was just 17-years-old when she experienced one of the most feared injuries for athletes; anterior cruciate ligament dislocation (ACL). ACL injuries are notorious and very unfortunate. Back then, her right knee slipped and she began to go through the long and hard recovery process.
Vitality Netball Legends Series – All games were broadcast on Sky Sports YouTube channel
| Friday, January 22nd | Space from 5.45pm | Sky Sports Arena and mix |
| Sunday, January 24th | Space from 6.15pm | Sky Sports Center |
ACLs are not parts of your body that heal in a week or two, they often involve operations and require hours of rigorous training to get an athlete’s knee back to strength. Progress is slow and rushes are not an option.
As a teenager, Cobden entered the hard gardens, returned to court and established herself within the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) and Vitality Roses of England.
She began her VNSL career with the Manchester Thunder, before moving to Loughborough Lightning, and made her international debut in England in 2016.
Between 2016 and 2018, Cobden lost just one major international tournament and was named in the Vitality Netball Superleague All Star VII in 2017 and 2018.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games brought a gold medal, however after their return to Lightning, the Grand Vitality Netball Superleague Finalist was hit with a major blow – ACL injured his other knee, left.
“When he went and I thought, okay I know what I need to do to get back, let’s do it,” she said. Sky Sports.
“Mentally I was fine with that one … I had done it before, and I had no problems with it. When the same knee went again, that’s what I got. “
Her left knee ‘going again’ happened a year later in Australia, just before the Vitality Netball World Cup. It gave her the opportunity to play in the Netball World Cup at home and this time, she left only a physical mark on her.
“When he went again that really bothered me. I didn’t expect it at all. Then, it’s just doubtful in your mind as to whether he could go again,” she said.
“I never thought he could go again, you see. Then he did. In my mind now either [knee] I could go again, so I had to do a lot of work with the sports psychologist to get my head around that.
It wasn’t really good. I saw it just hours after I did it and I think that really affected my healing with it. Someone may not have realized that it would have that effect, but it is on. At that time, they used to post everything on social media, I think they have stopped doing so much now.
“I have an image in my head when I landed, and it sank. When it happened, the people who were broadcast over in Australia tagged me on Instagram. The night after I did I was on my phone and she saw it, “she said.
“I think after I see that image, it’s pretty much stuck. In my head, I’ve connected the image to the feeling and the knot, then I think sometimes I’m just playing that in my head, so it’s trying to get that out of my head and trying to think about myself.
“Now, if I ever have that image, I’ll try to think of how to land strong and it’s good and keep going. Images are something that is really helpful and just talking about it, for sure. “
A lot of it is just being talked through. We sign up in regular meetings and just chat a lot of the time, as it has progressed there are a few different ways to do it if I ever get those negative thoughts to help them subtraction.
Also, just assume I’m going to get them [negative] thoughts and to know that it is normal to have them. It just turns that on positive and understands why they are there and tries to turn around.
Prior to his return to England, Cobden had already decided to take on the role of Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner instead of forcing herself to return to Suncorp Super Netball court.
Then, when a lockout came in March last year she returned to England with Natalie Haythornthwaite and Layla Guscoth. They captured what they thought was one of the last flights out of Australia, and they all landed safely back in England.
By helping her a lot, I am now in a good place now with everything. Rubbing with wood, I will be good to go for a few more years and can retire in my own time.
Beth Cobden on the impact of her sports psychologist
Since then, it has been announced that she is returning to Loughborough Lightning and the Vitality Netball Superleague, and the lockout has given her a lot more time to recover.
“When I think about the fact that I would have been playing around in May and ended up just playing newer, I think I would never be ready to play at the stage. that, “she said.
“When I think about where I was in my mind then, to where I am now. It has worked out very well for me in that sense. We have been very fortunate to be able to me to keep going [training and playing].
“I love playing for Loughborough and the whole program is great. I feel very comfortable and happy and I enjoy playing for England and being in camp and being part of the environment. The girls, the coaches and staff have been amazing and have given me great support.
“Now I’m in a good place now with everything. My goal is to try and get to the World Cup but at the moment, I’m just take every point as it comes and it has worked well for me so far. “
Netball returns to Sky Sports with the Vitality Netball Legends series. Watch the second match on Sky Sports Arena and Mix Wednesday from 5.30pm. All matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel.