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Layla Guscoth
Layla Guscoth
Layla Guscoth
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Layla Guscoth (born 2 March 1992) is an England netball international. She was a member of the England squad that won a bronze medal at the 2019 Netball World Cup. At club level, Guscoth has played for Loughborough Lightning, Hertfordshire Mavericks and Team Bath in the Netball Superleague and for Adelaide Thunderbirds in Suncorp Super Netball. She was a member of the Mavericks team that won the 2011 Netball Superleague. She has captained both Mavericks and Thunderbirds. In 2016 she qualified as a doctor.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Guscoth was born in Birmingham, West Midlands and began playing netball at the age of 11. She discovered an interest in medicine during a hospital work experience placement in sixth form.[2] Between 2010 and 2013 she studied medicine at St John's College, Oxford. In 2012 she was placed third in a top ten list of black students at universities in the United Kingdom. Judges included Trevor Phillips and David Lammy. In 2016 she completed her medical studies at University College London and was awarded a BMBS with Distinction.[1][3][4][5][6] Guscoth also played netball at intervarsity level for both Oxford University and UCL.[7][8][9]

Playing career

[edit]

Netball Superleague

[edit]
Loughborough Lightning

During the 2009–10 Netball Superleague season, Guscoth played for Loughborough Lightning.[1][10][11][12]

Hertfordshire Mavericks

Between 2011 and 2016, Guscoth played for Hertfordshire Mavericks. She was a member of the Mavericks team that won the 2011 Netball Superleague and in the grand final she was named player of the match.[4][13][14][15] In 2014 she was voted the Netball Superleague Player of the Season after winning 59% of the vote in a Sky Sports poll.[16] In 2015 she made her second grand final appearance for Mavericks.[17] She captained Mavericks during the 2016 Netball Superleague season.[5][18]

Team Bath

Between 2016 and 2018, Guscoth played for Team Bath.[1][19][20][21][22] Guscoth was named the Team Bath Coaches' Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2018.[23][24]

Adelaide Thunderbirds

[edit]

Since 2019 Guscoth has played for Adelaide Thunderbirds in Suncorp Super Netball.[25][26][27][28][29][30] Guscoth and her England international teammate Chelsea Pitman were appointed co-captains of Thunderbirds for 2019.[31]

England

[edit]

Guscoth made her senior debut for England in 2012 against Jamaica.[32] She has also represented England at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, captaining both the under-17 and under-21 squads.[1][4] Between 2015 and 2018 Guscoth took a break from playing for England as she concentrated on qualifying to be a doctor.[33][34] Guscoth was a member of the England squad that won a bronze medal at the 2019 Netball World Cup. However she was injured in a group stage match against Scotland and she missed the remainder of the tournament.[12][35][36][37][38][39]

Tournaments Place
2013 Fast5 Netball World Series[40] 6th
2015 Netball Europe Open Championships[41][42] 1st
2018 Netball Quad Series (September)[43] 2nd
2018 Fast5 Netball World Series[44][45] 5th
2019 Netball Quad Series[46] 2nd
2019 Netball World Cup[12][35][36][37][38][39] 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2023 Netball Quad Series[47] 3rd

Doctor

[edit]

While playing for Team Bath in 2017 and 2018, Guscoth also worked as a doctor at Royal United Hospital and Southmead Hospital.[1][22] In 2019, while playing for Adelaide Thunderbirds, she also worked as a researcher/visiting lecturer at the University of Adelaide.[2][6] During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season was suspended, Guscoth volunteered to return to the United Kingdom to work at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.[48][49][50][51]

Honours

[edit]
Hertfordshire Mavericks
England
Individual

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Layla Guscoth

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Layla Guscoth (born 2 March 1992) is an English player and medical doctor renowned for balancing elite-level sport with a career in healthcare. As a defender, she has represented the national team in international since 2011, making her senior debut against in 2012, and has earned a bronze medal at the despite an injury during the tournament and a silver medal as co-captain at the . Guscoth competed for at the in Birmingham, where the team finished fourth, and she was named the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague Player of the Year while playing for Team Bath. Born and raised in Birmingham, West Midlands, Guscoth began playing netball at age 11 and developed an interest in medicine during hospital work experience as a teenager. She represented England at youth levels, including captaining the under-21 team, before taking a break from international netball from 2015 to 2018 to complete her clinical training and foundation years. She studied pre-clinical medicine at St John's College, University of Oxford, starting in 2010, before completing her clinical training at University College London, qualifying as a doctor in 2016. Guscoth's club career includes stints with Team Bath in the Vitality Netball Superleague and a professional move to the in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball league, where she co-captained the side in 2019 and recorded notable defensive stats, including 36 deflections in 12 games the following season. In 2019, while based in , she conducted medical research at the alongside her commitments. As a physician, she works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and returned from in 2020 to serve on the frontline, exemplifying her ability to integrate demanding professional roles. In recent years, Guscoth has stepped into leadership off the court, joining the board of the Players Association while taking a break from playing in 2024 to focus on her medical career and personal life, including her ; as of 2025, she is preparing for the . Standing at 183 cm (6 ft 0 in), she continues to inspire as a for diversity in both and , particularly as one of the few in elite English .

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Layla Guscoth was born on 2 March 1992 in , raised in Birmingham, . She grew up in a family of descent, with her father's family originating from and her mother's from and —former British colonies in the . Guscoth has reflected on the lasting impact of British colonialism on her ancestors, noting in a 2022 interview that "Colonial Britain certainly had an impact on my family and ancestors." Raised in Birmingham, Guscoth's early life was shaped by her local community, where she first discovered her passion for at the age of 11.

Introduction to netball and early achievements

Layla Guscoth, born in , , on 2 March 1992 and raised in Birmingham, was introduced to at the age of 11 through local clubs and school teams in her hometown. This early exposure ignited her passion for the , laying the foundation for her development as a talented defender. During her youth phases, Guscoth specialized in defensive positions, primarily goal keeper (GK) and goal defence (GD), honing skills in intercepting passes and restricting shooters' movements that would define her playing style. Guscoth's rapid progression in led to representative honors at the regional and national youth levels. By her mid-teens, she had earned selection to 's under-17 squad, where she later captained the team, demonstrating leadership and tactical acumen in defensive setups. She continued to excel, representing at under-19 and under-21 levels as well, captaining the latter group and building a reputation for her physicality and court awareness in youth competitions. A key milestone in Guscoth's early career came in 2009, at the age of 17, when she made her debut in the Vitality Superleague with Loughborough Lightning during the 2009–10 season. This entry into professional marked the culmination of her youth achievements, transitioning her from junior representative play to elite competition while maintaining her focus on defensive roles.

University studies and medical training

Layla Guscoth began her university studies in 2010 at St John's College, , where she undertook pre-clinical medical training, earning a BA degree in 2013. Her interest in had been sparked around age 16 during a work experience placement at a hospital while in , which inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare alongside her passion for . To facilitate proximity to England netball training camps, Guscoth transferred to (UCL) for the clinical phase of her medical education, completing her MBBS degree with Distinction in 2016. Throughout her studies, she continued training and competed at a high level, including playing for Team Bath, but strategically took breaks during exam periods to focus on her academics. In 2015, Guscoth paused her international commitments until 2018 to prioritize her medical finals and qualification process, marking her first extended break from the team. This period allowed her to fully concentrate on achieving her while laying the foundation for her dual career in sport and healthcare.

Netball career

Netball Superleague clubs

Layla Guscoth began her professional career in the Netball Superleague with Loughborough Lightning during the 2009–10 season, debuting as a defender at the age of 17. Her appearances were limited that year due to her youth and emerging status in the league. In 2011, Guscoth joined Hertfordshire Mavericks, where she established herself as a core defender over six seasons until 2016. She played a key role in the team's success, contributing to their 2011 Superleague title victory in the grand final against Surrey Storm. In 2014, her standout performances earned her the Superleague Player of the Year award. Guscoth also took on leadership responsibilities, captaining the side during the 2016 season while balancing her final year of medical studies. Midway through 2016, Guscoth transferred to Team Bath ahead of the 2017 season, where she thrived in defensive positions including goal defence, wing defence, and goal keeper. She was recognized for her impact by winning the Team Bath Coaches' Player of the Year award in both 2017 and 2018, helping the team concede the fewest goals in the league during the latter campaign. Following a two-year stint in Australia, Guscoth returned to Team Bath for the 2021 season, describing it as a homecoming that allowed her to resume playing in the Superleague. Her defensive prowess remained evident, with notable games featuring multiple interceptions and turnovers, such as ten turnovers and seven interceptions in a single match against London Pulse. In 2022, she was named Vitality Player of the Season, leading the league in interceptions and turnovers while anchoring Team Bath's third-place finish. Guscoth extended her time with Team Bath into the 2022 season before moving to Surrey Storm for 2023, where she continued to excel as a defender and helped the team reach the Superleague semi-final. Throughout her Superleague career, she has been renowned for her interception skills and rebounding ability, often disrupting opposition attacks with quick reflexes and positional awareness. In 2024, Guscoth took a from the Superleague, stepping away from Surrey Storm to prioritize her medical career and personal recovery.

Suncorp Super Netball

Layla Guscoth joined the in 2019 as a defensive from England's Netball Superleague, where she had previously excelled with Team Bath, marking a significant relocation from the to for the Suncorp Super Netball season. She co-captained the team alongside , providing leadership in a rebuilding phase for the club that emphasized defensive solidity. In her debut season, Guscoth played 12 games primarily as goal defence or wing defence, recording 6 intercepts and 36 deflections, which contributed to the Thunderbirds' mid-table finish in 7th place with 3 wins from 14 matches. Her adaptation to the faster-paced Australian league highlighted challenges in adjusting to new tactical demands and team dynamics, yet her experience bolstered the defensive unit. The 2020 season brought additional hurdles due to disruptions, including a condensed schedule and relocation to playing hubs, but Guscoth remained a key defender for the Thunderbirds. Limited to 8 games amid the league's adaptations, she averaged 1.5 intercepts per game with 12 total, alongside 14 deflections and 5 rebounds, helping maintain competitive defensive rankings and securing a 7th-place finish with 5 wins from 14 rounds. Her high interception rate underscored her impact in turning over possession, supporting the team's efforts despite the external pressures. Following the 2020 season, Guscoth departed the Thunderbirds to return to the , rejoining Team Bath in the Netball Superleague while balancing her medical commitments. Her two-year stint in Suncorp Super Netball demonstrated resilience in leadership and performance under challenging circumstances, leaving a legacy of defensive prowess in Australia's .

England national team

Layla Guscoth made her senior international debut for in 2012 during a three-test series against . She quickly established herself as a key defender in the Vitality Roses setup, playing primarily as a goal defence and wing defence. By the time she took a break from international in 2015 to focus on completing her , Guscoth had earned several caps and contributed to 's development in major preparatory matches. Guscoth returned to the squad in late 2018 after a three-year absence dedicated to her medical training. Her comeback aligned with preparations for upcoming global events, allowing her to reintegrate into the environment under head coach . This period marked a significant phase in her international career, balancing her professional commitments with elite-level play. In 2019, Guscoth was selected for the in , where she featured in early matches before suffering an Achilles injury that ruled her out for the remainder of the tournament. Despite her withdrawal, secured a , finishing third after a semifinal loss to . Guscoth's experience from the event underscored her defensive prowess, even if limited by injury. Guscoth competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, contributing to 's fourth-place finish after a semi-final loss to and a match defeat to . Her participation highlighted her resilience post-injury and return from international duty, with notable defensive performances throughout the tournament. By this point, she had become a mainstay in the Roses' backline. At the in , Guscoth served as co-captain alongside Natalie Metcalf, providing leadership during England's run to the ; they lost the final to the same Australian side. This tournament represented a career milestone, with Guscoth reaching 52 appearances for by the end. Her co-captaincy role emphasized her growth into a senior figure within the team. Following the 2023 World Cup, Guscoth stepped back from international during a planned break from competitive play in 2024, prioritizing recovery and her medical career while continuing with her domestic club commitments when resuming. This hiatus allowed her to reflect on a decade-plus of representative service.

Medical career

Early professional roles

Following her qualification as a doctor in 2016, after completing pre-clinical training at the University of Oxford and clinical training at University College London, Layla Guscoth commenced her foundation programme as a junior doctor in the UK's National Health Service (NHS). In 2017, she undertook her Foundation Year 1 (FY1) at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, where she gained initial clinical experience in a hospital setting while simultaneously pursuing her netball career with Team Bath. During her Foundation Year 2 (FY2) in 2018, Guscoth rotated to North NHS Trust's , continuing her postgraduate medical training in a full-time capacity. This two-year foundation programme provided her with broad exposure to , though specific rotations were not publicly detailed beyond the demanding nature of junior doctor responsibilities. Guscoth balanced these professional medical commitments with her commitments to Team Bath netball by scheduling training sessions—typically two to three evenings per week, plus additional weights, running, and practice matches—around her hospital shifts. This often required commuting between Bristol or Bath hospitals and the Team Bath training facilities in Bath, creating a rigorous routine that she described as complementary, with netball offering mental respite from clinical stresses.

Contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, following the suspension of the Suncorp Super Netball season due to the escalating , Layla Guscoth returned to the from within 48 hours to volunteer as a frontline junior doctor at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. She had been in Adelaide rehabilitating from an Achilles injury while fulfilling her duties with the , but promptly traveled over 10,500 miles back to her hometown to contribute to the NHS response. At the hospital, a major tertiary referral center with extensive intensive care capabilities, Guscoth joined a rota on the medical wards, where she treated patients with a range of complications including confirmed cases of the . Her duties involved conducting ward rounds, managing patient care in high-pressure environments, and rotating between COVID-positive and non-COVID cases amid rapidly evolving guidelines for the novel . She worked extended shifts, typically from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. four days a week, supplemented by night shifts, contributing her services for over 10 weeks during the initial surge. Guscoth assisted in various capacities despite her primary training not being in critical care or , helping to address immediate frontline needs as patient admissions increased. Throughout this period, she treated numerous patients, drawing on her medical expertise to support the hospital's efforts in a time of heightened demand and uncertainty. Her commitment extended to participating in the "Clap for the NHS" initiative, symbolizing public appreciation for healthcare workers. Leveraging her profile as an England international, Guscoth shared her frontline experiences through media interviews and a Suncorp Super Netball mini-documentary, emphasizing the unity and resilience among NHS staff amid the crisis. In discussions with outlets like and , she highlighted the morale-boosting support networks within the hospital and her sense of duty to contribute, using her platform to inspire broader appreciation for healthcare workers' challenges. Her efforts during this period earned recognition, including being named among the Daily Telegraph's 2020 Sportswomen of the Year for her dual role in and .

Ongoing medical and advocacy work

Following her return to the in late 2020 to advance her medical career, Layla Guscoth has maintained an active clinical role within the (NHS), specializing in anaesthesia and intensive care. As of 2024, Guscoth is affiliated with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, where she works in the Department of Anaesthesia, having previously undertaken and substantive positions, including contributions to patient care in acute settings at the Royal United Hospitals Bath . Guscoth has progressed in her anaesthesia training, completing her novice period, and contributed to research on topics including effects in anaesthetic patient information (2022) and community prescribing trends during the (2021). As of 2024, she has presented on pre-operative anaemia and decision-making in emergencies. In 2019, while based in , she conducted medical research at the alongside her commitments. In addition to her clinical and academic commitments, Guscoth has taken on roles in sports governance to advocate for athlete welfare. In November 2023, she joined the board of the Players Association (NPA) as Alumni Director, a position she assumed while stepping back from active playing to focus on her medical ; in this capacity, she represents former players and contributes to initiatives promoting player rights, equity, and post-career support within the sport. As of 2025, Guscoth continues part-time clinical work in the NHS, balancing it with her sabbatical, which began in 2024 to allow greater emphasis on her medical trajectory and advocacy efforts. Her dual expertise enables her to speak on the challenges of balancing elite sport with professional careers, particularly for women in high-pressure fields.

Honours and awards

International

Club

  • Winner: 2011 Netball Superleague (Hertfordshire Mavericks)
  • Runner-up: 2015 Netball Superleague (Hertfordshire Mavericks)
  • Players' Award: 2019 ()
  • Vitality Player of the Season: 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague (Team Bath)

References

  1. https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/happy-birthday-layla-guscoth/
  2. https://adelaidethunderbirds.com.au/player/layla-guscoth
  3. https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/college-life/art/celebrating-diversity-online-exhibition/layla-guscoth/
  4. https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/layla-guscoth
  5. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/65950979
  6. https://www.mddus.com/resources/publications/publications-library/fyi/issue-22/profile-half-doctor-half-netballer
  7. https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/layla-guscoth-our-stories/
  8. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/68228140
  9. https://www.netballplayersassociation.com/news/page/3
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDR-mdNO1M
  11. https://teamengland.org/news/layla-guscoth-relishing-life-on-netballs-frontline
  12. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/66289285
  13. https://kids.kiddle.co/Layla_Guscoth
  14. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/layla-guscoth-0148a070
  15. https://www.teambath.com/2016/08/24/england-international-layla-guscoth-excited-by-great-challenge-after-joining-team-bath-for-2017-superleague-season/
  16. https://www.whtimes.co.uk/sport/22497378.captains-column-layla-guscoth-juggling-life-netball-superleague-medical-student/
  17. https://www.teambath.com/2020/11/12/layla-guscoth-2021-netball-superleague/
  18. https://www.teambath.com/2018/07/17/netball-superleague-awards-dinner/
  19. https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/layla-guscoth-returns-team-bath-netball/
  20. https://www.teambath.com/2021/03/28/london-pulse-netball-superleague-report-3/
  21. https://www.teambath.com/2022/06/02/layla-guscoth-phumza-maweni-netball-superleague-awards/
  22. https://netballscoop.com/ns-preview-uk-netball-superleague-2023/
  23. https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/30100/12550397/tamsin-greenway-on-manchester-thunders-start-to-the-vitality-netball-superleague-season
  24. https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/11507249/team-baths-layla-guscoth-joins-adelaide-thunderbirds
  25. https://netball.com.au/player/layla-guscoth
  26. https://www.teamja.org/archives/4093
  27. https://netball.teambath.com/2018/08/20/england-roses-guscoth-corbin/
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/13/england-scotland-world-cup-netball
  29. https://netball.teambath.com/2020/04/05/layla-guscoth-nhs-coronavirus/
  30. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/42977931
  31. https://www.teambath.com/2020/04/04/layla-guscoth-nhs-coronavirus/
  32. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/52158402
  33. https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/11968147/layla-guscoth-swaps-acl-rehab-in-adelaide-to-return-to-work-as-a-doctor-in-birmingham
  34. https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/11988179/layla-guscoth-discusses-unity-on-the-frontline-and-her-belief-england-isnt-quite-ready-for-sport
  35. https://netball.teambath.com/2020/12/17/layla-guscoth-telegraph-sportswomen-of-the-year/
  36. https://adelaidethunderbirds.com.au/news/guscoth-farewells-adelaide-pursue-medical-career
  37. https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/anae.15824
  38. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9063701/
  39. https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/training-careers/training-hub/novpod-beginners-guide-anaesthetics-episode-3-pre-assessment
  40. https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.16323
  41. https://ebpom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EBPOM-World-Congress-2024-Abstract-Booklet.pdf
  42. https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/66423459
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/19/australia-england-quad-series
  44. https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/9822042/surrey-storm-beat-hertfordshire-mavericks-to-win-2015-netball-superleague-title
  45. https://www.facebook.com/AdelaideThunderbirds/videos/2019-players-award/681604595651358/
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