Best of both worlds

Amy Howell is a full-time combat medical technician with the British Army but is also playing for Surrey Storm in the Netball Super League. This is her story…

5TH QTR: How did you come to join the Army?

Amy Howell: When I was at college I decided I didn’t really want to go down the university route and my older brother is also in the Army. Seeing his career and the opportunities he was getting, I decided I wanted to look into it.

5Q: And did you have netball in mind at that stage?

AH: I knew that the Army is an England Netball partner and yes, it was always something I wanted to get involved with. On social media Army Netball’s got quite a big following, so while I was at college I was following the team and wanted to be a part of it.

5Q: And what does being a combat medical technician mean?

AH: I’m trained to give immediate first aid on the battlefield, mainly focusing on trauma. I also train the Army in basic medical scenarios, keeping them up-to-date and making sure our equipment is up-to-date. I was lucky enough to be a part of the coronation last year, stood outside Buckingham Palace on hand in case anyone needed medical assistance.

5Q: That’s great! And you are managing to combine your work with elite netball, playing for Surrey Storm in the Super League. Tell us how that works.

AH: The Army is very supportive of both careers, the netball side of things and being a soldier. I’m still working five days a week, but training is mostly in the evenings and the Army’s very accommodating for a Wednesday morning training session. It’s just keeping that conversation going with my unit so they know what I’m doing and where I’m going.

5Q: And at the moment you are playing in the Inter Services competition. How does that affect the Super League? Is that a conversation between Storm and the Army?

AH: When I signed for Storm, it was always in my contract that I was to play for Army Netball in Inter Services, which obviously I’m happy to do! I love playing for the Army so it was never a chore. We have been champions for I think the past 10 years! So fingers crossed this year goes our way.

5Q: And how did it come about that you joined Storm?

AH: Last season’s Inter Services was my first one, and it was streamed on Forces.Net YouTube and I believe one of the selectors for our UK Armed Forces squad put me in contact and told Mikki Austin or Mel Mansfield about me and I think they watched it on the YouTube stream.

5Q: And how are you finding it at Storm?

AH: It’s great, I’m really enjoying it, loving the environment and learning off other people and just getting as much support time as I can.

5Q: And do you see parallels between your Army career and playing netball?

AH: Yeah, I would definitely say quite a few of the Army’s values help on the netball court – commitment, fitness and strength. The Army is a very fit organisation and obviously that helps on the netball court, being able to hold your own and keep up with other players.

5Q: And finally, what would you say to girls who are thinking about both playing netball and joining the Army?

AH: Absolutely, I would go for it. There’s a trade for everyone in the army, whether that’s being a chef, a medic, an electrician, there are all kinds of different trades and the Army sport and travel opportunities are second to none. I would a hundred per cent encourage anyone to get involved!