A UHDB senior sister is throwing for glory when she competes in javelin in Florida next year.
Netty Webster, a University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) Senior Sister on Respiratory Ward 3 at Queen's Hospital Burton (QHB), is preparing for her "dream" of competing in the World Masters Championship with her achievements in javelin.
Netty, who trains with Burton Athletics Club in Shobnall, has been competing in javelin for over a decade saying: “It all started at senior school when I threw a shot put for the first time. I did that and then just thought I'd give javelin a go and it went from there."
Though she competed regularly at county level in her younger years, Netty paused her athletic career for 25 years before returning to competitive javelin at the age of 40. “When I left school aged 16, I had harboured dreams about competing at the Olympics. However, it would be another 25 years before I threw a javelin again,” she explained.
Starting again at 39, Netty found success in the veterans' V40 and V45 categories, for throwers aged 40, or 45 and above. Within a year of her return, she won the Derbyshire gold and Midlands bronze in her age group, followed by national titles. Her personal best, and the V45 club record, throw of 24.52 meters remains a high point of her career. Netty also recently secured victory in the British Championships with a winning throw of 22.12 meters, achieved at the Derby Moorways competition.
Despite a setback earlier this year when she suffered an elbow injury after a fall in February, Netty reflects on her recovery and determination to continue competing, explaining: "My throwing hasn’t been that great this year in my opinion since the fall as I badly hurt my elbow. My confidence took a knock, but it's safe to say it's come back now!"
Netty is focused on representing Great Britain next year at the 2025 World Masters Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida, where organisers have arranged an outdoor venue for javelin and hammer events as part of the week-long competition. Netty will compete on the final day of the event. "It has always been my dream to compete on the world stage and I'm so excited to be doing so next year. I compete on 30 March, the last day of the week-long competition, so I'll be there for the closing ceremony which I'm looking forward to."
Netty's Deputy Manager, Karen Elton, explains how proud her and the team are of Netty's achievements both in and outside of work: "Netty is an outstanding member of the team, consistently hardworking and dedicated to always going above and beyond in her role on the ward. Her excellence in javelin outside of work further highlights her impressive skills and talents and you can see the real energy she brings from the field to her day job, which both colleagues and patients love about her."