Eshé Grant On Her Netball Journey
[Written by Stephen Wright]
For Eshé Grant, netball has always been more than just a sport – it has been a lifelong passion woven into her identity.
From the age of five, she was courtside at Bernard Park, watching her mother, Josette Grant – a standout local player in her era – representing teams such as TCC and the Cougar Cats.
Inspired by those early memories, Eshé quickly picked up netball herself while attending Victor Scott Primary School, where her natural talent soon began to shine.
It did not take long for others to notice. Erica Russell, then a team-mate of her mother and now one of the island’s most respected coaches, spotted young Eshé and invited her to join the junior programme at Phoenix Heat [then known as the Young Men’s Social Club Lady Blue Birds].
Under Russell’s guidance, Phoenix have become a powerhouse, claiming ten consecutive titles until their streak was broken this season by Lindo’s Tigers, who took home the Bermuda Netball Association Winter League crown.
“It’s been awesome to be part of the journey with Phoenix,” Eshé, 36, told Bernews.
“Many of the team have been together since we were young girls and have a close bond on and off the court. We call each other sisters, not team-mates!
“However, many of the guys have stepped away from the game after becoming wives and mothers and to focus on their careers.”
One of her current team-mates is her teenage daughter, Sanaa Grant, who also captains the Phoenix Fire Under-18 team – a full-circle moment for Eshé.
“The highlight of my netball career has been playing alongside my daughter,” said Eshé, who helped coach her daughter’s school team at Northlands Primary School and Dellwood Middle School.
In January last year, she suffered a torn Achilles – a major setback for any athlete.
After a year-long recovery, she returned to the court in triumphant fashion, earning MVP honours in her comeback match.
“I trusted my leg, and things have become easier and easier,” said Eshé, who represented the Bermuda Under-21 team at just 16.
“The team had a few injuries this season, but we plan to return stronger next season and regroup.”
From a girl on the sidelines watching her mother to a leader playing beside her own daughter, Eshé Grant’s story is one of resilience, legacy, and enduring love for the game.
- This is the fourteenth in a series of articles in which Bernews is highlighting the island’s netball players.
