Thursday 21 April 2016 16:01, UK
Ama Agbeze hopes she can lead England to victory in next month's Netball Europe tournament after being named as the new team captain.
The Loughborough Lightning player has taken over the role from Sara Bayman for the competition, which will see England take on Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland from May 12-15 at University of Northumbria.
Agbeze, who has been nominated for the Sky Sports Vitality Superleague Player of the Season award, admitted she was left stunned after being offered the captaincy by head coach Tracey Neville.
"I was really surprised," Agbeze told Sky Sports. "It sort of came out of the blue. I was just shocked, but now I'm really pleased.
A week ago, I was thinking: 'I'm never going to be England captain', and then I get a phone call from Tracey.
"A week ago, I was thinking: 'I'm never going to be England captain', and then I get a phone call from Tracey."
She joked: "My family hardly ever go to see me play, so I'm hoping they might come out and see me. I'll probably start crying, but hopefully I'll be able to keep it together. I'll be very proud and excited."
England suffered a 3-0 Tri-Series defeat to world champions Australia and Agbeze is fully aware that Neville will be seeking a response from her players when they line up against their British rivals.
"On a personal level, we need to win the tournament, so I won't get too ahead of myself," said Agbeze. "We need to win that European tournament.
"If I can perform consistently as well, and the team can do that, it will definitely be a step in the right direction."
Sky Sports experts have singled out Loughborough's defensive star as player of the match on three occasions, but the Lightning still fell short in their pursuit of the top four and Agbeze has given an honest assessment of their season.
"I think we didn't actually have belief in ourselves, or confidence," she said. "At times when the pressure is on, if you don't have belief you're not going to make it.
"I think we have the talent. Sasha Corbin is injured and Jade Clarke left, but I think people stepped into their places.
"We have shooters who can shoot, we have defenders who can turn the ball over. It's basically the belief and dealing with those pressure situations. Possibly you might argue that people who are inexperienced do not know how to handle that pressure.
"Hopefully Loughborough will have made a learning curve during the season and can draw on the experiences next year. Not just be in the top four, but actually win it."
