Beth Cobden hoping for new start after injuries nightmare
Staffordshire netball ace Beth Cobden is aiming to put two years of injury hell behind her after returning to Loughborough Lightning.
The England international is back in the Vitality Superleague after a largely frustrating stint in Australia with Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Cobden suffered her second serious cruciate knee ligament injury in the space of a year just three matches into her stay Down Under.
After returning to the UK at the start of lockdown, the 27-year-old is now preparing for the 2021 campaign with Loughborough, the club she helped reach consecutive Grand Finals in 2017 and 2018.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be back with Loughborough, the club has done so much for me and I am proud and excited to be back with the girls,” said Cobden, who grew up in Heath Hayes, Cannock.
“I feel like I’ve got unfinished business, I just really want to win with this team.
“There’s a lot of new faces from when I last played with the club but there’s also a lot of familiar ones and close friends which makes for an exciting mix – so hopefully this year is our year.”
Centre-courter Cobden, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, first damaged her anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Lightning in the 2018 Grand Final.
She then ruptured the same ligament while playing for the Thunderbirds in May last year, an injury which ruled her out of the World Cup, where England claimed the bronze medal.
“It is obviously going to be a big challenge getting back on the court. I have had two years where I have hardly played,” she said.
“I just want to get back fit. I am always competitive and always want to win.
“Lockdown was good timing for me and my injury process, it gave me that extra bit of time to recover and rest. Now I’m really looking forward to getting back into the mix of things and stepping up my training over the next few months.”
Cobden, who will be coached at Loughborough by former team-mate Sara Bayman, said: “They treat me so well here.
“I like the set up and we have Sara coaching. I played with her for many years and she has a great netball brain.
“It is quite a different team to when I left but it has been nice to see some new faces.”
“It’s great to have Beth back in Loughborough colours after a couple of years in Australia,” said Bayman.
“She’s a world-class player and I’m looking forward to her making a big contribution on and off the court. We’re so happy she’s home.”
