Blackburn's MARION LOFTHOUSE has been appointed the coach to the National Development Squad. ANDY

NEILD met her to find out what the job entails

MENTION netball in this part of the world and it's a fair bet the name Marion Lofthouse will be uttered in the same breath.

In a career spanning four decades she has seen it all, done it all, and is still very much doing it.

Had she made equivalent achievements in a more high profile sport, such as football or cricket - sports of which she is a passionate admirer - then she would have been handed the freedom of the borough years ago.

But during her time as netball's first lady of Lancashire she has received neither the fame nor the fortune her unquenchable dedication and talent deserves.

A person who positively bubbles with enthusiasm, it's a pity she cannot bottle the stuff up and sell it - she could have taken early retirement.

Not that she would.

It was as a player that she used to make the headlines but her recent appointment as coach of the National Development Squad has pushed her back in the spotlight.

Marion began playing in the early 50s while at Roe Lee Primary School in Blackburn. Selection to the Lancashire Junior squad soon followed, from where she progressed to the senior side at the start of the 60s.

But it was her call-up to the England squad in 1964 which really put her on the map.

After just three years at the top level Marion was appointed captain for the World Netball Championships in Perth, Australia. Her international career was put on hold in 1970, to have her son, before returning six years later for a tour of the West Indies.

But what probably contributed, as much as anything, to her place in East Lancs folklore was the part she played in the success of the Blackburn Independents Netball Team in the mid 70s. The Independents gained national acclaim after pulling off an unlikely victory in the final of the coveted National Clubs Tournament at Blackpool.

"It was a brilliant achievement because it was very much like winning the FA Cup, the footballing equivalent," said Marion, glowing with visible pride.

"The team was formed by a group of Blackburn Tech old girls and we used to train at Harrisons Gym in town.

"We played a team called New Campbell from Essex in the final and, for a little team like ours, to win it was quite an event."

Unlike an FA Cup winning side, the team were not paraded around the town in an open top bus.

But they did receive an invitation to have tea in the Mayor's parlour.

Since retiring as a player from the international scene in 1979, Marion has increasingly turned her attentions to coaching.

The results have been equally successful.

She has coached the Lancashire Senior squad for the last 15 years and also had a spell in charge of the North West Regional Team.

But it was her appointment, back in December, as coach of the National Development Squad which has caused most excitement. Marion is taking charge of England's wannabes at a time when the game is about to enter a thrilling new era.

"The National Development Squad is made up of players on the verge of playing for England," she said.

"I will be coaching the players in preparation for the Federation of the European Netball Association Tournament which will be taking place at Cardiff in April."

The impending creation of the National Sports Academy in Sheffield - where netball will be a focus sport - has brought an influx of lottery cash flooding into the game at the top level.

"The money coming into the sport will make a tremendous difference. Before coaching was done on a voluntary basis and sometimes the people who were available weren't always the best," said Marion.

"Now we can afford to pay for the top people."

And it won't be just coaches who will benefit. Players will receive lottery grants enabling them to train part-time - if not full-time.

"This year it's the Commonwealth Games in Malasia and any player selected to go will be able to take six months off work in order to train.

"That kind of development was unheard of in my time."

The revolution won't stop there. Professional netball will turn the game on its head.

"I'm in no doubt there will be professional netball players within 12 months time and I just wish I was 30 years younger," she said ruefully.

"It's not just about going out and coaching these days. The game's getting more and more professional, like football, with sports science people now starting to get involved." Marion, herself, has got in on the action. After being made redundant in 1996 she set up her own netball coaching business which she fits around her selection duties for the England team.

Assignments from Darwen to Dubai have maid Marion - who lives between Rishton and Great Harwood - a Harwood globetrotter.

"When I lost my job I did an ELTEC course which taught me all about running a small business. Now I've got my own coaching business going and it's proving very successful. I came back from Dubai only last week after a friend invited me over to do some coaching and umpiring. The Dubai International Netball Tournament was on while I was there and I helped to umpire the final."

"There's never a free weekend. Last year I clocked up over 17,000 miles."

But she hasn't turned her back on the area. Far from it.

She has been running weekly sessions in Clitheroe, Burnley and Darwen.

"I started going to Clitheroe a while back after a woman asked me to come down and take a coaching session for about 15 people. "As a result, the Ribble Valley Junior Netball Club has been set up and there must be 80 kids attending the two sessions at Roefield and Moorland.

"I don't run it. I just do the coaching."

And how does she see her role in the future?

"I see myself as a developer of young talent in the area. It'll never be as satisfying as playing but it's nice to put something back in.

"I've seen probably four or five eight and nine-year olds in the area who have definite England potential. If they make it it would be nice to think they might remember me as the person who set them on their way."

If she can unearth four or five new Marion Lofthouses then she will have left the game in a very healthy state.

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