Full-time Student & Professional Netballer: How Sienna Rushton Found Success in Commercial Banking

As the Treasurer of Leeds University Netball Club, Sienna balanced a full-time academic workload while excelling as a professional netball player. Her impressive sporting achievements include representing England Netball with two caps and winning a gold medal at the European Championship.

This summer, she graduated and secured a coveted spot on a Business and Commercial Banking Graduate Scheme—demonstrating how sporting experiences help graduates secure competitive jobs.

Research increasingly emphasises how participation and performance in sport contributes to corporate and career success by bridging the soft skills gap. But what does this look like in practice?

Sport as a Foundation for Career Success

Sienna’s journey from the netball court to a corporate career highlights the invaluable skills student-athletes bring to the table. “Netball has given me so much,” Sienna shared. “The highs are incredibly high, but the lows can be tough. The discipline, structure, and determination that sport instils in you—those are the qualities that set you apart in any field.”

For Sienna, netball was more than just a sport, it was a key part of her identity. “My years at school were really lucky—everyone was obsessed with netball, and because of that, we all got quite good at it. Turnford Netball Club exposed us to club nationals, and from there, netball became a main focus in my life.”

This intense focus, while demanding, laid the groundwork for her future success. The discipline, punctuality, hard work, and motivation she honed on the court translated seamlessly into her academic and professional pursuits. Those soft skills developed through sports gave her a competitive edge in the job search.

Balancing Sport and Academics: Tips from Sienna

Achieving success both academically and athletically is no small feat. Sienna credits her time management skills as crucial to her ability to excel in both areas. She graduated from the University of Leeds with 1st Class Honours in Spanish and Linguistics BA with distinction in Spanish speaking. “Playing sport kept me happy and healthy, and it actually improved my academics,” she noted. University and professional sport can be the perfect environment to expand one's existing skillset. 

For student-athletes looking to follow in her footsteps, Sienna offers these practical tips:

• Time-block your day: break your day into 30-minute chunks to plan study, training, and leisure. This helps you stay aware of how you’re spending your time.
• Get involved in university sports committees: take on leadership roles, such as Treasurer, if you’re interested in fields like Banking and Finance.
• Leverage your support network: coaches, friends, and family can offer invaluable support as you balance sport and academics.

Transitioning from Sport to the Corporate World

Having secured a place on a Business and Commercial Banking Graduate Scheme, Sienna expresses the importance of finding an identity and ambition outside of sport. “There’s so much to learn, and economics is a never-ending journey because it’s always changing so I’m really interested in finance.”

She emphasises the importance of cultivating interests outside of sports. “Finding an identity beyond netball was crucial for me,” she explained. “When selection, health, or finances don’t go as planned, having other passions ensures that your life still has purpose.”

For Sienna, internships, volunteering, and long-term career planning were key strategies in her transition. These activities allowed her to reapply the discipline and determination she developed in sports to new areas of life. The mindset developed through sports put students in a stronger position to secure graduate roles, even in fields unrelated to their initial degree.  

"I always dreamed of strutting the streets of London in a suit, holding a briefcase, and feeling important,” she laughs. add-victor helped make that dream a reality by preparing for job opportunities, supporting her in CV writing, and fine-tuning her storytelling.  

For student-athletes preparing to graduate, Sienna’s journey offers inspiration and practical advice on how to leverage athletic experience to achieve success beyond the court.

 Rebecca Pearson