Young Morris ready to join senior Girls

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

National Under-21 netball standout Afrika Morris believes that she is ready to be promoted to the ranks of the senior team and is banking on her performances for her all-conquering Leeds Metropolitan University team to get her a spot on the Commonwealth Games and World Netball Series squads.

Morris, 21, was a leading player for the Leeds Metropolitan University outfit which claimed victories in the British University and Colleges Sports league, where they ended as English champions before wrapping up the Northern championships in the club league.

The goalkeeper/defender pointed to the development of her game during her time at the university and underlined her ambitions to be part of the Sunshine Girls' international push later this year.

"It's a major ambition of mine to become a member of the national senior squad," said Morris. "I'm only 21 and I know that I have time on my side but I'm really looking forward to coming home and continue training with the girls and really show what I can do."

Ready to be a Sunshine Girl

Morris also shared that she has also gathered a lot of useful experience, playing against top England national players such as Jo Harten and Pamela Cookey.

"To be honest, I think I'm ready to become part of the team (Sunshine Girls)," Morris said. "I've been doing really well and I have played with so many English national players here while even being named Player of the Match against them, so I do believe that I'm ready for the senior team. I just have to continue doing well and work hard."

"I've had one of my most impressive seasons since I have been here (England) and other coaches from other universities and clubs have said it as well and I really think that my netball has come a long way and developed significantly since my time here," said Morris. "This year has been one of my most successful seasons and also one of the most successful for the university and I'm looking to build on that with a senior team call-up."

Morris, who will graduate in a few weeks with a first degree in international tourism management, has been offered several scholarships to pursue her master's degree.

"I've been offered a scholarship to continue towards my master's degree on a part-time basis here at Leeds Metropolitan University but I have also received other offers from other universities but I've not made a decision just yet in terms of where I will be studying," said Morris. "I'm just looking at my options right now and taking time to determine what's best for me."