Tracey Neville overwhelmed by 'emotional support' since father's death

England Netball coach Tracey Neville says the support she has received since her father died last week has been "truly emotional".

Neville Neville was in Sydney to watch his daughter's side compete at the World Cup when he suffered a heart attack last Wednesday.

He died two days later and Neville, who was joined by her brothers Gary and Phil in Australia, chose to remain with her team for the remainder of the tournament.

Speaking to Sportswomen she said: "You could never write the script that occurred a few days ago.

"The first thing I said to this squad is that I will always have your back and there’ll be times where I’ll need you to have mine. I’ve never doubted that support, friendship and team spirit throughout.

"The only certainty I had was that I wanted to be with this squad and lead this team to the World Cup. I never knew the support and feelings people have had and the support they have given us has been truly emotional." 

There was a moment of silence for Neville Neville before England faced Jamaica the day after the 65-year-old passed away, and the team sealed a 50-54 win.

Hertfordshire Mavericks vice-captain Camilla Buchanan told Sportswomen Neville's decision to stay with the squad in Australia came as no surprise to her.

"Tracey has been ridiculously brave to stand up and continue with her job but it hasn’t surprised me at all," she said.

"I wouldn’t expect her to have done anything else but to stick by the England team. I’m sure that everyone in her family will be behind her with that decision.

"We are a bunch of patriotic girls as it is. We play for each other and that’s the kind of team that they are.

"They will be putting out their performances to make Tracey proud as well. This is only going to make them stronger as a squad."