Susan Pratley

Sport: Netball
Position: GA/GS
Club: NSW Swifts
Date of Birth: March 23, 1984
Height: 180cm
Age: 24

Sporting bio and achievements:

2008 NSW Swifts- Premiers
2007 Australian Netball Team- World Championships- GOLD
2007 Sydney Swifts- Premiers
2006 Australian Netball Team- Commonwealth Games- SILVER
2006 Sydney Swifts- Premiers
2003-2005 Australian 21/U Netball Team- Captain 2004
2003-2005 AIS Netball Scholarship holder- Player of the Year 2004 and 2005

Susan Pratley grew up in Bega and started playing netball when she was 8 years old.  She began her representative netball career playing for Sapphire Coast from 12-15 years.  After being identified at NSW state level Susan took up a netball scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and began playing at the elite level of Australian domestic netball.  Susan has reached the pinnacle in her sport and is currently recognized as one of the top goal shooters in Australia.

From 2003 to 2005 Susan was the cornerstone of Australia's development squads, which helped to develop her leadership skills, composure, and shooting accuracy along with a reliable playing volume.  She has had many leadership roles within her domestic and Australian teams and is a great ambassador for her sport.  Pratley was a member of the 2007 Australian World Championship winning team; she won her second consecutive premiership with the Sydney Swifts in 2007; and put her name in the history books after executing a perfect shooting performance during the 2006 Grand Final match shooting 26 goals without a miss.  Susan has a passion and love for her sport which includes staging netball clinics within NSW for young netballers.  She is also the patron of the South East Regional Academy of Sport (SERAS) Netball Program.  Susan has many years ahead of her at the elite level of netball in the highest female participation sport in Australia.

Tamara Tomato:
Hi Susan, it is so exciting to sit down and chat with you! Let’s get down to business, who has been the toughest opponent?
Susan Pratley
Every defender I have played against has been tough. I always like an on court battle with Mo’onia Gerrard. The New Zealand defenders are always really tough too.

Tamara Tomato:
What about your worst injury?
Susan Pratley:
I haven’t had too many bad injuries (touch wood), A few rolled ankles, jarred fingers and I have had stress fractures in my shins.

Tamara Tomato:
What do you think has been your biggest achievement in sport?
Susan Pratley
Winning the World Championships in 2007 in New Zealand against New Zealand. We won 42-38. A very exciting game!

Tamara Tomato:
Have you ever had a losing streak?
Susan Pratley
I have been in a couple of teams that went through the season with very little wins, but I didn’t count the amount of games we lost in a row! I tried to forget about it and get onto the next game J

Tamara Tomato:
How do you overcome these bad times?
Susan Pratley:
As I said, you leave those games behind you and focus on the games ahead. Every game is a new game. Playing netball is fantastic too because you get to play with your friends, so that made it easier as I was having fun, training and playing with great friends.

Tamara Tomato:
What are your favourite fruits?
Susan Pratley:
I love strawberries, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges, bananas and nectarines… I love almost all fruits!

Tamara Tomato:
What about your favourite vegetables?
Susan Pratley:
Potatoes, pumpkin, corn, peas and carrots!

Tamara Tomato:
You certainly love your fresh fruit and vegetables! What is your favourite food in general?
Susan Pratley:
I love pasta and I love my veggies… I also like a little treat of chocolate every now and then to treat myself!

Tamara Tomato:
If you hadn’t turned out to be such a legend athlete, what do you think you would have chosen as a career?
Susan Pratley:
I always wanted to be a lawyer, but when I start playing so much sport, I didn’t have much time for it. I am now studying marketing and loving it.

Tamara Tomato:
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Susan Pratley:
I like to hang out with friends, and shopping.