Nat Metcalf would be a self-described mess should she fulfil a long-held aim and represent Team England at a Commonwealth Games in front of her daughter.

The 33-year-old Manchester Thunder player was part of England’s gold medal-winning side at Gold Coast 2018 before going on to captain her nation in at Birmingham 2022.

And now, after missing the 2025 domestic and international season through pregnancy, Metcalf is targeting her goal to show daughter Miller exactly what is possible.

“I’ve said since being pregnant, any chance to represent Team England is a massive honour so for me it’s always been an ambition,” she said.

“If I was to be successful as a mum, I would just be so emotional in the best way. I remember Eboni Usoro-Brown doing it for England in 2022 and it’s just incredible to see other mums being able to do it and show our children you can be a mum and play elite sport.

“That is something I am really passionate about doing. For Miller, to know that in the future, if that’s what she wanted to go after it is possible and for other mummies to know that it is an option.

“I think I would be a mess when I first catch a glimpse of her [supporting me], but she absolutely loves watching netball. So, it would be so special.”

Metcalf has prepared for Glasgow 2026 by taking part in Team England's leg of the King's Baton Relay, powered by official automotive partner Geely.

The King's Baton Relay will travel the length and breadth of the Commonwealth to 74 nations, with Team England's leg reaching all four corners of the country through the Team England Taxi.

The baton relay is designed to help inspire pride and inspiration for the Games, that start on 23 July in Glasgow.
Metcalf, who plays wing attack, knows better than most the power the Commonwealth Games can have as a source of inspiration, particularly for netball.

As the only multi-sport international competition for netball, it represents a unique opportunity to bring new eyes to the sport which Metcalf and her teammates galvanised with their gold medal in Australia eight years ago.

“It was incredible to be part of that team, but the legacy of 2018 and winning that gold medal saw participation numbers rise,” said Metcalf.

“Netball is the most highly played female sport in the country and that’s something we should be really proud of and want to keep pushing.

“We want girls to know that there’s opportunity out there for you to be part of the sport because of the joy it can bring to your life.”

It made missing out on a medal at a home games four years later all the more disappointing as they lost to New Zealand in the bronze medal match.

But with Glasgow just around the corner, Metcalf is doing everything she can to be part of the squad with an opportunity to inspire girls, including her daughter, almost as close to home.

For now, that means concentrating on the upcoming Netball Super League Play-Offs and a potential Grand Final at the Co-Op Live Arena even closer to home in Manchester.

“Games that are close to home being the country together. It’s so tangible. It’s on the same time zone and you can watch it every day,” she said.

“It’s a massive relationship builder for us and the fans and we don’t want it to end once the Games is over.

“I would be lying if I said selection isn’t on my mind, but you have to work really hard to stay super present and focus on the job at hand right now.

“For me that is turning up to Thunder training, playing in the games week to week and just giving my absolute best to the team right now.”