A MONMOUTH netball coach has demonstrated that hard work and commitment pays off after being picked to compete at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Chelsea Lewis, who coaches at Monmouth School for Girls, has been named in Team Wales’ squad for next month’s showpiece in Australia.

Welsh Netball unveiled their squad on Thursday 1st March and it will be a second Commonwealth Games for Miss Lewis, who plays at goal attack for high-flying Team Bath in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

“I am delighted to be named in the Wales squad and I can’t wait for the Commonwealth Games to begin,” said Miss Lewis, 24.

“I have been in Wales’ senior squad since I was 16 years old but you can never take your place for granted and you have to continue to work hard and always strive to improve.

“My career highlight was winning my first cap for Wales but I’ve been fortunate enough to have played at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and also two World Cups.”

Miss Lewis, who played with Celtic Dragons for five years before moving to Team Bath, started her role at Monmouth School for Girls last September and is enjoying her coaching duties.

“The girls are great to work with and they know the importance of working hard and being committed to the sport and their team-mates,” she added.

The Commonwealth Games open on 4th April and Wales’ netballers are in Pool B alongside England, New Zealand, Scotland, Malawi and Uganda.

“There are some exceptional netball teams involved at the Commonwealth Games but we will make sure we give it our best shot,” said Miss Lewis.

Director of Sport at Monmouth School for Girls, Miss Lou Scott, said: “Chelsea is an excellent role model to all the girls at Monmouth and we know that she will represent the school and Wales with tremendous pride in Australia.”