Eleanor Cardwell: ‘Comfortable sportswear should not be expensive’

Recommended Health & Fitness Eleanor Cardwell: ‘Comfortable sportswear should not be expensive’ The England and Manchester Thunder netball player talks affordable kit, martial arts and unexpected hobbies Save Comment speech bubble icon Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Jessica O'Donnell Show biography Jessica O'Donnell is a freelance journalist and editor covering health, fitness, beauty, travel and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in publications like The Telegraph, The Times, Runner's World and Cosmopolitan in the UK, as well as ELLE and Harper's Bazaar Australia. She combines expert insight, in-depth research and hands-on product testing to help readers make informed decisions. Previously, she was Ecommerce Editor at Women's Health, where she oversaw the ecommerce strategy across health, fitness, beauty and wellbeing. Published 24 July 2026 4:10pm BST Save Comment speech bubble icon Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Eleanor Cardwell is swapping her Manchester Thunder club colours for the England Roses at this summer’s Commonwealth Games Credit: Paul Cooper, for the Telegraph Jessica O'Donnell Show biography Jessica O'Donnell is a freelance journalist and editor covering health, fitness, beauty, travel and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in publications like The Telegraph, The Times, Runner's World and Cosmopolitan in the UK, as well as ELLE and Harper's Bazaar Australia. She combines expert insight, in-depth research and hands-on product testing to help readers make informed decisions. Previously, she was Ecommerce Editor at Women's Health, where she oversaw the ecommerce strategy across health, fitness, beauty and wellbeing. Published 24 July 2026 4:10pm BST England netballer Eleanor Cardwell has spent more than a decade competing at the highest level of her sport. The goal shooter has represented Manchester Thunder since 2012, winning multiple Netball Super League titles, including this year’s edition. She has also cemented herself as a core member of the England Roses squad, making her senior debut in 2016 and then helping them win silver at the Netball World Cup in 2023. This summer sees her going for gold with England during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Cardwell, an ambassador for sports bra company Maaree, has become an advocate for the importance of sports bras in making women feel comfortable while exercising. She’s also passionate about encouraging more people to get involved in netball, whether that’s walking netball, grassroots clubs or just having the confidence to give it a go for the first time. Our Readers Ask series enables members of the Telegraph Recommended Community to put their questions directly to industry experts, celebrities and sportspeople. I caught up with Cardwell during training to ask a selection of the 52 questions we received, beginning with this one from Julie: How did you get into playing netball?Julie, London My mum loved all sports, but she played netball as a young girl, so she wanted me to go along to my primary school netball session. I just fell in love with the sport. I was actually inspired by watching Kelly Holmes at the Olympics and the [athletics] gold medals she won. Watching her performance, I was like, ‘I want to be at the top of my game and see how far I can take netball.’ From there I was just truly inspired. How many hours a week do you spend training?Anthea, South West Usually we train four days a week, so that’s five and a half hours of netball a week. Then you’ve obviously got your weights and your conditioning, so that’s probably another five hours on top of that. Then you’ve got your games at the weekend. But recovery is also very, very important. England’s Eleanor, pictured during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, has been selected again for this year’s edition Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images If you were not a netballer, what sport would you have pursued?Damian, Yorkshire Taekwondo was my main sport for many years. I actually had a meeting with GB Taekwondo in 2014, to see if I could participate for them, but I chose netball. I don’t think my knees and hips would be able to take it right now, but when I was a kid, I loved it. I loved all the flexible kicks and the power. It’s a cool sport and very different from netball. How much difference do you think wearing the correct clothing makes?Christine, East of England It’s hugely important. If I’m feeling comfortable in what I’m wearing, I am performing the best. I’m not worrying about pulling my top down and rearranging my shorts and underwear. I am solely concentrating on the job at hand, and that is performing and playing netball. Eleanor has become an advocate for the importance of sports bras in making women feel comfortable while exercising Credit: Paul Cooper, for the Telegraph Comfortable sportswear should not be expensive. It should be affordable for all. Why should someone wear cheap sports clothing and then it be not fitted correctly or feel horrible and scratchy on their body? It should be affordable for all so that everyone can participate in sport, from all areas in life. If buying a sports bra, you should definitely get sized properly using an online bra fitting tool. [You can also use the Telegraph’s tool below.] What sports shoes do you recommend?Robert, South West The sports shoes that I’m currently wearing are from Puma. They’re very comfortable and have support. I actually wear a basketball shoe at the minute to have more support up the ankle. A lot of the girls wear Asics as well, which I know is the netball shoe. I’ve worn Puma for the last four years, so I would recommend them. But honestly, whatever works best for you, you have to try them out. Whatever is best for your instep and whatever is comfiest. And if you need more ankle support, you can put some ankle braces on. How has playing for Manchester Thunder helped you develop as a player?Jason, London Manchester has massively helped me develop as a player. I’ve been playing here since 2012. As a young girl, it created me as a person, to be honest with you. It’s such a family environment that I think a lot of my values come from this club. So my family values, being connected, creating energy – all those things come rooted from this club, which is incredible. I think whatever step you are in your career, whether you’re a young athlete or senior, they help you develop. Even now I’m 31, they’re still helping me learn new things on the court. The coaches are incredible, and I’m constantly learning and being inspired by them every single week. Do players retire from elite netball quite young?Helen, South West I think it depends on the athlete. Some can retire at 40, and that’s because their bodies are so conditioned, and they might not have had any major injuries in their career. They’re able to continue to push themselves all the way until 40. But I’d say the average is probably mid-30s. Now the Super League has become professional, the younger athletes are getting better training from a younger age. We want to keep pushing ourselves to play as long as possible. How can netball get more coverage when women’s football is constantly pushed?Sarah, South West I think netball needs to have more sponsors to get more media coverage. Bigger sponsors. Players need to put their personalities more out there on social media, so brands will want to work with us. Everyone’s got amazing personalities in netball. They [brands] should want to be a part of the netball players’ stories and the netball teams. But it’s about getting as much exposure as possible, and making sure that everyone is going on YouTube or BBC, so more people are able to learn about the sport. I loved netball at school. How do I get involved now in my 60s?Sue, Yorkshire Netball is for everyone. I personally love going to walking netball sessions and taking them through classes. You can go to the England Netball website and find out where you can play locally. There’s also Back to Netball, depending on your ability and what you want to get out of it. Personally, I think walking netball is so much fun. The women who are in those sessions are a huge laugh, and I know when I retire, I’m going to be joining a group, for sure. Apart from netball, what other hobbies do you have? How do they help you relieve the pressure of competition?George, London I feel like over the past few years I’ve really got into some new hobbies. I love reading. I love fantasy reading, like Throne of Glass. I love BookTok, so I’ve really got into that. I’m also very crafty. I like making things – I’ve made little crochet bees for all the girls, and I like drawing, and painting occasionally – just wholesome activities to take me away from netball life. As soon as I zone in on an activity, I’m locked in and I have to complete it. Recommended Would you like to ask the next expert a question? Join the Recommended reader panel Join the conversation Show comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics England Netball, Netball Superleague License this content You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Find out more here. Log In Subscribe Advertisement More Stories