An East London netball player and paramedic is hoping to reach the finals of the Men’s Netball Nations Series today.
Julien Vincent, 29, who joined the England squad in 2023, is currently representing the country in Singapore after being recruited from his local club, the London Giants, who play at The Score Centre in Leyton, Waltham Forest.
England have reached the semi-finals, which take place today (January 16), following a strong performance in the tournament with wins over the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and New Zealand.
Mr Vincent said: "Those first wins give us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the series. It’s an incredible honour to represent England, especially on an international stage like this."
Standing at 6ft 11in, Mr Vincent is a standout presence on the court. He scored 25 points in the first half of England’s opening game and now holds six caps for the national team, including three against Jamaica in 2023 and three against Australia in 2025.
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Since his call-up, Mr Vincent has been balancing 12-hour shifts as a paramedic with elite-level training. He said: "There are definitely tough days.
"Working long shifts and fitting in training takes a lot of discipline, but both roles demand focus, teamwork and staying calm under pressure."
Mr Vincent began working for the London Ambulance Service in 2022 after qualifying as a paramedic in his native Australia. He is eligible to play for England through his British grandfather.
The growing popularity of men’s and mixed netball in the UK is giving players like Mr Vincent new opportunities on the international stage.
He said: "It’s an exciting time for men’s and mixed netball. The sport is growing fast and getting more recognition. The England National Championships are held every August, and each year is bigger than the last."
The London Ambulance Service, where Mr Vincent works, answers more 999 and 111 calls than any other ambulance service in the UK, and serves more than one million patients each year.
