What is it like to be the youngest player in the Netball Super League?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to become the youngest player to earn a contract in the Netball Super League?

For Gracie Smith, this dream became a reality when she signed for London Pulse at the age of 16 years old.

At an international level, she has achieved success with the England Under-17 squad, where she went on to win the U17 Netball Europe Championship at the age of 14.

BBC Bitesize spoke to Gracie to find out more about her love of the sport and her upcoming GCSEs this summer.

“It’s easier than I thought it was going to be at the start.”

So, how does Gracie find the time to balance education and the Netball Super League? “Well, I kind of don’t,” she laughs. “I’ve got school five times a week and then I’ve got training four or five times a week, so it’s hard to find time to do other stuff that I guess normal teenagers would do.”

Being the youngest player signed to the Super League this season comes with its challenges. Gracie tells us that one of the most important things to help her manage the pressure is having a good support system around her. This includes everyone from her coach and teammates, to her teachers and friends.

“Everyone has my back and is supporting me. Even the other day, all the netball girls were helping me with my flash cards for GCSE, like revising.”

Gracie tells BBC Bitesize that she is feeling prepared for her upcoming GCSE exams this summer. When asked what advice she has for people doing their exams alongside other commitments, she says that communication is really important.

But despite the stress of exam season being just around the corner, Gracie acknowledges that they aren’t something that will define you.

“The pressure of GCSEs can be quite scary, but you’ve got to take a step back and just think I know I’ve done all the work I can.”

"It’s been an emotional rollercoaster”

When it comes to transitioning between student and athlete, Gracie has it covered. “I think I’m quite good at making the switch. Once you’re getting in that warm up and you’re getting more locked in to what you’re doing and getting into a frame of mind where you’re focused.”

She admits that some people in her school don’t know the netball world very well. She describes one instance where one of her school friends came to watch one of her matches. “They were like, ‘oh my god, that’s what you get up to on the weekend?’”

“It’s like two completely different lives, but I love them both so it’s good.”

Gracie pinpoints her debut in the Super League as one of her career highlights so far. The game against Nottingham Forest saw London Pulse win 73-51 at the Copper Box Arena. “It was an amazing day,” she told us. “All the girls having my back and supporting me and seeing all the fans at the end.”

Looking to the future, Gracie wants to play for the England national netball team, also known as the Vitality Roses. “I’ve always said since I was little, my dream would be to win a World Cup with the Roses, or a Commonwealth Games,” she said.

Playing in a centre and wing defence position herself, Gracie describes Serena Guthrie and Jamie-Lee Price as netballing idols that have influenced her game, highlighting their elevation, speed, and endurance.

When it comes to joining the sport, Gracie encourages people to give it a try. “Netball really is a community and you can find friends for life, I know that I have definitely.”

This article was published in May 2025