England netball star Eleanor Cardwell has revealed the harrowing journey of nearly losing her career to a serious knee injury, describing moments of despair, isolation, and doubt before making a remarkable comeback to the national squad.
The 31-year-old shooter, who has 71 England caps since her debut in 2022, initially feared her playing days were over after a failed surgery to repair a severe lateral meniscus injury sustained during a three-match series against Australia in October 2024.
The Injury That Shook Her Career
Cardwell’s nightmare began after she snapped one meniscus and suffered a full root detachment of her lateral meniscus. Early recovery seemed promising, but her first contact training session following the knee repair ended with a devastating setback.
“As I leapt for the ball, I felt it again. Straight away I knew. I was like, ‘That’s it, it’s gone,’” Cardwell recalled.
Her surgeon had warned her: a second injury could be career-ending. “After that, I went into panic mode – thinking the worst, thinking ‘That’s it, I’m going to have to retire from netball.’”
A Stellar Career at Risk
Cardwell is no stranger to success. She has:
- Won four Netball Super League (NSL) titles with Manchester Thunder.
- Claimed a Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) title with Adelaide Thunderbirds in Australia.
- Earned a silver medal with England at the Netball World Cup.
Despite these achievements, the injury threatened to end her career prematurely.
The Road to Recovery
Seven months after the initial setback, Cardwell has returned to the England squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, starting Saturday.
Her recovery journey was far from smooth. While training with Australian franchise Melbourne Mavericks in 2024 under former England coach Tracey Neville, Cardwell noticed her knee acting “grumpy” and struggled to walk after sessions. Scans initially showed a minor meniscus tear, but she was advised to keep playing.
However, during England’s first match against Australia, her knee pain became unmanageable. “I was basically playing off one leg. My knee kept locking, I was in a lot of pain,” she said.
Further scans revealed the severity, necessitating six months of intensive recovery. Even then, her first contact session after surgery triggered fear that her career was over.
“I felt like punching a wall – I was really, really angry, I was in tears,” Cardwell admitted. “Those were probably the darkest days of my netball career.”
Mental Strength and Support
Cardwell credits Mavericks teammate Maisie Nankivell for supporting her through the toughest moments. She also sought help from a sports psychologist, and rediscovered motivation through weight training and running.
Ultimately, Cardwell returned to England, rejoining Manchester Thunder, which she describes as her “family.” Despite enjoying her time in Australia, she realized personal happiness and mental well-being were paramount.
Back on Court and Looking Ahead
Cardwell’s return to the NSL for the 2026 season was a standout moment in the recent transfer window. While she acknowledges unfinished business in Australia, she feels most settled representing England.
After facing the Silver Ferns, England will play Jamaica in December, followed by the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, giving Cardwell the opportunity to prove herself at the highest level once again.
“I’m really hoping my time will come,” she said. “If it does, I’ll cherish that because I know the journey I’ve come on to get back on court.”
Eleanor Cardwell’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a testament to the mental and physical challenges elite athletes face when fighting back from career-threatening injuries.
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