BURY sportswoman Tracey Neville will play a leading role in a first-ever careers event in Manchester aimed solely at elite athletes.

The international netball player, sister of football stars Phil and Gary, is taking part in Progression 08 at the City of Manchester Stadium on Thursday, March 27. Tracey, a supporter and spokeswoman for the event, is one of England's most capped netball players.

Progression 08 is being staged as part of a strategy to support, re-train and provide alternative career and study opportunities to sporting apprentices and those retiring from sport.

The event is being hosted by League Football Education in association with the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football League. The aim is to bring together professional athletes from all types of sport and at all levels of their sporting careers with recruiters from a wide range of industries and training organisations.

Tracey played for her country 81 times before injury forced her out of the game for a couple of years. Now back and playing netball for Leeds Carnegie Super League team at national level, she is also working full-time at Leeds Metropolitan University in the nutrition department.

She also offers support to sports students across all disciplines including netball, hockey and athletics. And the Bury woman also helps with specialist sessions for TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) athletes. They are highly talented sportsmen and women aged 16-21 who receive Government funding to help pay for their training and aid finance for travel costs and sportswear.

Tracey (30), said; "I believe gaining an education increases drive and commitment. Education is very important throughout life and I have always been driven to be the best that I can be and train to the best of my capabilities. This coincides with my work at Leeds Met. It's all about supporting student learning."

Commenting on the Manchester event later this month, she added: "The chance to support Progression '08 is incredibly important to me. The opportunity for career development and education outside of playing sport is something I am a huge supporter of.

"By getting our voices heard at events like this, hopefully we will all be able to make a difference to athletes' ongoing careers and opportunities."