England's netball head coach Anna Stembridge is considering her future after the team finished without a medal following a 68-50 loss to Australia in the bronze-medal match.

England netball head coach Anna Stembridge has announced she will reassess her position after the national team failed to secure a medal at the Commonwealth Games. The Roses were defeated 68-50 by Australia in the bronze-medal match, marking the end of a tournament where the team also suffered a semi-final loss to New Zealand. Stembridge, who was appointed in March, stated she needs time to evaluate what is best for her family and England Netball.

Match Performance and Defeat

England faced a difficult challenge against Australia, the world's top-ranked side, who were recovering from a surprise semi-final loss to Jamaica. Although England initially led 9-7, Australia quickly established control, leading 19-11 by the end of the first quarter. Despite England introducing substitute shooter Eleanor Cardwell in the third quarter to spark a brief rally, the team remained behind by 13 goals entering the final period. England captain Fran Williams attributed the performance to fatigue and the mental strain of the tournament, noting that 10 members of the squad were experiencing their first Commonwealth Games. The final score of 68-50 represented a one-point improvement over England's 66-47 loss to Australia during the pool stage.

Future Outlook for the Roses

Stembridge emphasized that discussions regarding the long-term coaching role were always planned for after the tournament. She expressed a need to process the loss before making any decisions, noting that the team remains committed to future success. Captain Fran Williams stated that the team is already looking toward the World Cup next year, with the explicit goal of securing a medal.