Here Herts Mavericks captain Layla Guscoth writes her first exclusive column for the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

I’m so excited to have the opportunity to welcome you to my first Captain’s Column for the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

The WHT are great supporters of us here at Mavericks and we are very grateful.

For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Layla Guscoth, the Hertfordshire Mavericks captain and we play in the Vitality Netball Superleague - the highest level of domestic netball in the country.

As this is my first column I thought it would be good to tell you a little about myself.

This is my first year as captain of Mavericks but my sixth season with the club. Alongside this I am a medical student in my final year at university: BA Medical Sciences from Oxford University and now completing my clinical training at University College London.

Being a netballer and a medical student has always had its challenges; often having to compromise on work projects, having to be organised and dedicated and the hardest part having to withdraw from tours and competitions because I cannot take time off.

The balance of the two is tough, but I am so pleased to be able to do both. I am living my dreams.

I am working towards my medical school finals, the moment that for six years, over 30 different exams and many sleep deprived nights I have looked forward to and dreaded.

This at the same time as trying to balance the training required to compete at this level.

Having started the season in perfect fashion with four wins from four, this weekend saw us face the only other undefeated team Manchester Thunder. Despite taking an early lead we were beaten 57-48.

The team had 48 hours to regroup and refresh before our away trip to Team Bath on Monday night.

A high intensity game saw us come away victorious 56-42.

Now we are preparing for London Live at The Copper Box on Saturday.

We are aiming to go one better than last season and emerge as Superleague champions at the end of the season.

If you’ve not watched a Superleague match before or any netball game, I would encourage you to try and come down to the Copper Box, or tune into Sky Sports on Saturday at 6.30pm to catch us play.

I look forward to updating you on the result next week.

Layla