The Netball Show
S7 Ep124: 2025 Netball Superleague Preview Part 02 (14th Mar 2025)
[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi, this is Nat Metcalf. Flyhawk have developed a unique 3D kit designer that's fully customizable. So if you're looking for a new kit for your team, visit flyhawk.com or email info@flyhawk.com with your ideas now. Nationplayer is the easy to use, one-stop radio and audio app. Download Nationplayer now on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Nationplayer, where on are you? The net will show with Flyhawk. Raising the bar for netball and winning sports. [MUSIC PLAYING] It's a netball show with Flyhawk, part two of our 2025 season preview. London Mavericks have announced their debut side and delighted to say that Camila Buchanan and Keira Rothwell joined me now. Camila, let's start with you first. That side includes Chelsea Blackman from Thunderbirds in Defense and also Emily Andrew, as well the shooter. How easy was it to get them to be part of Super League and gone maths? Yeah, easy peasy, Andy. No, a lot of late night, early morning phone calls from Tamsin to Australia, trying to secure those guys. But it was all relatively smooth as smooth as it can be. Both players wanted to take a chance and move across the play in our league. And they absolutely seemed like the right people, the right fit for this club. They're really ambitious. They're young and exciting players as well. So we knew that they were going to fit within our club. And it just worked out really nicely. T's already said that half the squad's new, one of which is Izzy Phillips. What can you tell about her? What can she bring to the side? Well, I think everybody saw last season what she can bring to the side. I mean, the kid has done amazing in her debut season for Pulse, reaching top four and being that starting position center, taking over from one of England's greatest ever players, Jay Clark. So she's incredibly exciting but got a really mature head on her shoulders. But I think the most exciting part is how much she's still got to go. She's a kid and she's got to head in the right places. So yeah, we're buzzing to work with her. Her personality is incredible. So yeah, working with these guys is going to be fun. Kira, you would have been through that team selection. I suppose, what was it like this time around given reduction in teams and everybody's contract was up at once pretty hard? Yeah, definitely. I think this was definitely the hardest year and probably for a lot of players for similar and lots of reasons. I mean, everyone was available and lots of teams often want to go for the same sort of people. So you often just sat there waiting to see what happens, which is a weird position to be in because a lot of it's out of your control. But ultimately, we all ended up where we're happy, so-- I'd like to think that a player of your ability as well would be someone that had maybe more than one of her. Now that everything that's passed, was that the case? In my heart, I always knew I wanted to stay here. I had lots of considerations. Just cams next to you. It was an easy decision in the end. I also had lots of other considerations around that ball that I was trying to fit into my life. And Mavericks was so supportive of that. So it was an easy decision. And when you throw up people like cams in and Mickey around the players, Mel Mansfield too as well, just having that coaching staff as well can only benefit your game. Yeah, it's really exciting. I feel like they're all coaches that I know a lot about, but have never been directly coached by. And so I think that's really exciting because I know they'll be able to give different things to my game, but also the team's game that can already add to what Camilla in terms and give us. Next season, you'll be joined by Amelia Susie and Izzy as well, who joined from Rhino's Stars and Pulse. So how do you think that partnership will work? It's like the coaches have put a whole group of people together that might from the outside look like they haven't played together, but actually a lot of us have history together. Amelia Susie, I've played with them all the way through England age groups, Emma and Ellie too. So a lot of us have already played together. Izzy, for example, I play with a Prem. So a lot of us already have those connections and then being able to do it in a high performance environment on the biggest stage. I think having those connections already will allow us to go far. Come on the face of things. How are you expecting some of the new teams to develop? Obviously Birmingham Panthers, the likes of not the number forest as well. What are your thoughts on the new teams joining the league? I mean, everyone's got an opinion about all the new stuff. Well, well, I mean, but I've been in this game long enough to know that you've got to tread carefully. I mean, I wish everyone the best. That's first and foremost, but it's a jigsaw piece pulling teams together. Every team's got incredible lineups. We know that absolute strength in their 10 in their what will likely be their site in sevens. But this game is about tactics, it's about strategy, it's about the changes that you can have for impact. So there's no at this stage knowing who's going to produce what, which is kind of part of the fun. Like you kind of like to know a little bit that unknown. But this is the exciting part about being in this league and being in this transition phase is that everything is a little bit unknown. You've got names, but until you see styles, until you see how people connect and sit until you see what their strategies are going to be, it is totally unknown. So, but that's part of the fun. That's why we do what we do. It's the competitive element. And yeah, we can't wait to try and figure some of this stuff out. Are you happy that you've got the people to do it? Oh, man, the best. I mean, ultimately, we wanted to make sure that we've got the best the best players, the best owners in, you know, management. And I absolutely believe that we have. So let's get this train running. The London Mavericks director of Nipple is Tams in Greenway. What are you hoping to get out of things this time around? That's actually a really good question. There's still an element that I absolutely love, the ultimate goal, right, which is winning things. That's what it's there for. But under no illusion, what building things and I'm back into this role means. I think one of the biggest things for me is that, you know, the last few years, it's been a long time since I've been doing this, you know, was when I finished there in 2018. So for me to be back in this role, life had to be in a place where I could do that as well. So I feel like having a few years away, yes, there is the ultimate goal of winning things. But for me, that's kind of eventually it's what does the journey look like, what are we actually going to build? And I feel in the role so far at Mavericks, I haven't really been able to be myself or do the things that perhaps I've been able to do at previous places. And that was what about this change was all about, really, coming back into something that I feel more comfortable doing more hands on and getting into that coaching mix, which is, you know, something I'm super passionate about. Are you almost getting the same kind of vibes to when you first think it was similar role at Waspons Storm? Yeah, and I think it's like the same sort of vibes. It's kind of just what it is, isn't it? Like whenever you come in new, even if there's a club that's had history and is established, you come in something new, you want to imprint on it in your own way. And whether that's just little tweaks, because what's been gone before is brilliant, or whether that's big holistic changes, depends on where the clubs out, who the people involved are. So I kind of guess, yeah, it is vibe, but it's vibes of just what I've always done. You come into a club, you decide what it needs, where it needs to go, you get the right people in and around you, and you go full steam ahead. And I think that's what it's exciting about Mavericks. You know, I think it's been probably a slower build up to what happened at Storm and what happened at Wasp. And that's just because of the roles that we've been in and the changes we've wanted to make and where we're going with it. And I think I'm excited about it as being shiny and new this year. So it feels like everything can speed up a little bit and do things a bit quicker. Let's look at London Mavericks. I think the team behind the team here is really important. So Tams and Greenway, Mickey Austin, Melman's Fields in there as well. They've got a whole sort of coaching, physio, but also well-being side of things. And it just looks really professional. And I think that's a statement of intent from them in terms of signings for them. I mean, Ellie Ratu stays, doesn't she? And what a player she is. Susie Liversidge, I think, could be interesting bringing her in. But for me, it's Isabella Phillips. She had what I felt was a standout season. Full London pulls stepping into that sort of centre wing defence position last year. So what can she bring to this side as well? What did you think signing was for them? The she effect that not only have you got that team on court, but you've got, as you've just said, the likes of Mel, the likes of Mickey. And even if we go down to the pathway, the likes of Super Amy, Sofia Kanbapper as well, just building from that. Oh, I think that's key. And I think, you know, what we're doing when we're looking at these announcements is really concentrating on the 10. And 10 is going to feel really different to us, you know, and to those coaches as well. Because if there is injury in the team, things could get tricky. You know, and we've seen a bit of that in the Australian League. So what you put together underneath this 10 and underneath this Super League squad is going to be really important. And I think that London Mavericks have really thought about that. London Pauls have added Sophie Kelly to the team this season. She told us what joining Pauls meant to it. Oh, I'm so excited for the next season. I think the team have got such an amazing opportunity to do well and show everyone what we can do. And I just can't wait to get on court with my new team and new colours and, yeah, just have a great time. And how has she found in the new Pauls team it so far? I feel like it's given me kind of a new sense of confidence. I know I very feel like they very much believe in me. And it gives you kind of the freedom to play in more ways that you know with a bit more freedom. And you can kind of relax a bit more about it. And I think tactically, I've got a couple of new different things to try and it's just been really exciting, you know, to have a different coach around you in the London Pauls coach. They'd be great, so just having that brings something different to my game. I sure if she thought Pauls can win the Super League this season. Oh, 100%. Yeah, believe it, we've got to do it this year. Darcy Everett is also looking forward to 2025. I've been elevated to the main squad. Yeah, I'm very excited for it. I think the new NSL 2.0 phase will be like a good thing for the sport and for recognition for NSL. And so I'm excited to see what the season brings and the exposure that this new kind of layout gives to all the players. And I guess what it meant to her being in a team that included Tyler Orr. Yeah, no, I think it would be fun. I think having Tyler's experience from Australia and Nicole's experience from South Africa, I think, will be really helpful. Just having those two different styles of play. I think it will bring a big variety to the squad and just making it even more like depth and talent and depth and strength. And also having grace just how it's been young and just bringing the energy and the vibes will be good as well. And how does Darcy feel about the season ahead? This year we've got so much depth in our squad and we have good vibes as well going to the season. And I think, yeah, we've got the talent and potential to win. We've just heard from Sophie Kelly. Some bird shed more on her signing. I remember her bursting onto the scene with Storm, actually, and had a great game against us. Great debut. I don't know whether we were her first game, but she stuck in my mind as someone that just came onto court and gained a really dynamic player. Good attacking, goalless hack and good long-range shooter. And I've liked her for a long time. And I think she sort of fits our style as well. There's sort of being a quick attacker playing with some flair and again, giving that sort of pulse bit of spice. I think she'll fit really nicely in with the attackers that we've got. And she's obviously in the England futures now as well and has been developing nicely as a player. So I'm really looking forward to seeing her grow within this 10. And I think there's a lot more to come from Sophie as well. And I'm playing with sort of high standard of attacking players. She'll have around her. I think we'll see her push on and show what she's really, really capable of. You know, we've pretty much kept our back end the same. I think we're renowned for our strong defence, defensive capability and to retain all of those players. At the back end is really, really good. So I'm really happy. I think we're in a strong position to start the league in a strong way. And the new players coming in will add some extra strength and depth. But, you know, the core is already there. London Pulse. That's a heavy defence team. You know, in terms of the mid court players as well, a lot of them are centre wing defence, I felt. And so where's that sort of attacking wing attack? Obviously, you've got Alyssia Scholes. But then Sam talked to me about Tyler Orr. And I think this is a player that we're going to need to watch. So she was the 11th player for the Adelaide Thunderbirds out in Australia. And let's face it, I mean, they weren't. They're pretty good. She made of Georgie Hodges as well. Yeah, it was just a gorgeous player, isn't she? With a brilliant name. But I think, yeah, Tyler Orr is going to maybe provide that link up between centre, bit of wing defence and wing attack. It's about getting the ball into Liv Sheen. Because what they need to do, London Pulse, is up their number of goals per quarter. So if you looked at their scores from last season, they did a lot of winning. But they probably need to put more goals on the board. You know, when you're looking at Mary Cholok and maybe at Ziggy Burger as well. So we need to be getting that ball through. So it'll be fascinating to see how that settles. And well done to Sam Bird as well for keeping the likes of Fumi Fedoju. Because there is no doubt people across the world in the netball zone are watching her like a hawk, you know, and they will watch her. Yeah. London Pulse, Sam Bird shared the news with me that she'd been keeping an eye on Sophie Kelly for quite some time. So when you get the open to sign a player like that to the side, it's only going to add to the team. Indeed. You know, I love my young goal attacks. And Sophie Kelly is one of them. I think she is fearless. She has a great long range shot. And she's still developing her game, still developing that consistency. And yeah, great that Sam's had her eye on her because obviously losing very new. To love for lightning, they need some extra fire in that shooting end for them. And I think Sophie Kelly is a good signing for her. And Sophie is, yeah, continuing to improve and alongside Nicola. Yeah, that's going to be an exciting young shooting end for Sam to work with. And yet again, we see yet another player from Sunkop join the league. Tyler Orr from Thunderbirds. Yeah. And I think it's almost like our Super League is becoming a little kind of cauldron of like youngsters coming over from Australia. Yeah. But we don't mind that. We don't mind that when it's going to, if it's going to add value to the league, it's going to help develop the players around them. And it's going to add some excitement to it. And yeah, getting Taylor Warren. She's working alongside that center court. She's in there alongside the youngster, Gracie Smith, who's just 15 years of age. You definitely, it has crazy, isn't it? Yeah. You definitely add in value. And I'll be interesting to see how Gracie does. Again, in this league with some of the experience that we have in other teams. But then you put her alongside your Fumi for dojus, your howling, my alveos. Is our reverence like these are young players that have really found their feet now and they're no longer the youngsters. They're the experienced now and they're there performing week in week out. And so for London Pulse, yeah, they've got an exciting mix across the board. They missed out on the the real experience. So, you know, when you're in like that jam, where you go and go for gold or you're just behind or you're just in front and you need that one person or a couple of people that really hold the squad together and keep you pushing forward. I think last year they just missed out on that. So I'm just wanting to see who it's going to be this year, because you still got quite a few youngsters in there and that mix. Hi, this is George Fisher and you're listening to The Next World Show. Kevin Greg shed more on her selection for Manchester Thunder. How tricky was selecting that final turn? It was it was tough. Don't be like it made no bones about that. You know, it was really hard, you know, it's as soon as we knew that, you know, squads, we were going to eight teams. We were going to squads at 10. We know training partners sat down and pulled together a recruitment document. I, um, I ranked every player across the league in every position and kind of highlighted players up for us where we thought we could make improvements. And obviously until you get through that final and know what that looks like, you then have to start making some really crucial decisions. And for us, it was about, you know, we've not quite got over the line in the last couple of years. Obviously, we finished top of the table at the end of the regular season last year. But, you know, really, we want to win that final in the year before we were beating at semifinals. So for us, it was all about looking at where we can make those slight improvements to go that one step further. As, you know, I didn't want to be in a position where I'm naming the same squad and getting the same results because that's then on my head. Um, so it's, it's what kind of players do we need to make those slight adjustments where we think we can make those games and, and it was that defense. And that was, was critical for us just to kind of look at where we can make those games, where we can win more bar. We can add a little bit more height in there because I think our shooting unit last year was phenomenal. It was raw. It was untapped. And I think there's still a lot of growth in that unit. And yeah, lose, obviously losing mo was always going to be a difficult one. You know, she's got big shoes to fill, but it's exciting that we're able to give Emma the opportunity with that experience of Amy in there as Rose's players and Taylor obviously is a future as well. I think we've found a really good balance as coaches. It's difficult. And when you are playing off at 10, there's only so many players you can carry. You can only give you one position. And I think that's crucial in when you try and put all these Jigsaw pieces together. I think I've got a squad of probably nine of definitely nine players who can definitely give me at least two positions. Josie will argue and we can argue because we've played Josie in there before as well. Josie can give us gold defense if we really needed to, but we know she's a solid pretty much out and out goalkeeper, but we can throw in that flexibility. So I think when you're playing off a squad of ten, you can't carry a lot of players that are only specialists in one position. So when you're looking at what the make of your squad is, you know, combinations, connections, these things become really important. Thunder, Gregy, you've done a decent job, hasn't she? Maybe always does a decent job, doesn't she? Yeah, in partiality there. But keeping Josie was maybe quite an important signing. Yeah, yeah. I think that's absolutely right. She's really solid for them at the back and she's putting in the miles is Josie Huckle. You know, if you watch her Instagram on the off-season, she's fully committed to it. And she works really hard. I think having spoken to Gregy, it was a really tough signing window for her, you know, and she had to let go of players that she didn't want to let go of, one, because they are great netball players, but two, because they're great people. And I think that's important to all these clubs, but Manchester Thunder have their own style, don't they? So the likes of Shideem Dandamurva, she has got a contract with Lightning, and my goodness me, watch out for her with Beth Copden, that could be something to worry about. But you know, I think that was really, really tough, and I was really fascinating in that swap in terms of South African for South African. So she's the only player that she brought in from outside the Thunder pathway or the Thunder team is Nicholas Smith from Loughborough Lightning. There's only one import as it were coming in. And that was because she needed to have that goal, keep her goal defense coverage rather than a goal defense wing defense, which is what Shideem does. So the way that Nicholas Mick works with Josie Hookle, who you've mentioned, and to be able to offer something indifferent in that defensive circle, I think is the thinking behind that for Gregy. And she's got such intent for this new move towards professionalization, so she's made the difficult decisions. And it was nice as well that she managed to elevate Elo Renema. And that's what I'm saying. You know, there's 10 players on this roster, and nine of them have come through the Thunder pathway or were with Thunder last year. You know, it's like, this is fully Manchester Thunder, and this is what they do. It's what they're known for. It's their brand. It's why there's so many Thunder players in the roses. You know, they really nurture those players. Elia McCormick came on last season and had real impact, and they will want to build on that. And I love Elo Renema. You know, we've seen her in the Super League before, and she's just sort of explosive to me. You know, and she offers something a little bit different on the court. And I think the move last year between that Metcalfe and Lois Pearson into that wing attack role, I think they just needed a sort of another option. And yeah, Emma's a great choice. For Thunder, Emma and Elia have been elevated, and it continues to show just how strong the Northwest pathways. Oh, yeah. Well, Manchester Thunder have always been great with their pathways in terms of right from an early age, they really build that Thunder way. And so as the players come through and come into the senior, they're already ready to step out onto the court to perform at that level. And I think Karen and the team have really created a great environment there where players come through, knowing exactly what's expected of them and what they need to do to perform at that level. And Marina's inch, just 22 years of age, she was training partner last year, but again, has been in this Thunder system for so, so long. And then when you then add in some of the imports, like when you look at Manchester Thunder's team, you just go, wow, like literally everybody is a name. Nicholas Smith, I think, phenomenal last season, especially in that final. She grew through the season and she has become a really hard defender to play against. And I'm very clean as well. Alongside, you play her with Josie Hakulu is just four super league titles under a belt and still loving the game and still, I think, her move just gave her a new lease of life and is playing and is getting that starting position. And then in that attacking end, when you've got Elmery Vanderberg, again, another player for me, which just Sean and grew over the season playing goal shooter and goal attack. You've got such versatility there. Lois Pearson, probably one of the best goal attacks in the league last season, just so calm and measured and just goes about her business, but works so, so hard and has such an effect and page read to mix up that rotational shooter. And I've not even mentioned Amy Carter, so like, you've got so many players in there that you just think, is this now a chance for Thunder to regain that title? And you would think they stand a very good chance of doing that with this squad. New to the league is not known for its netball. Chelsea explain more about the debut season, and we also spoke to their inaugural captain Nev Cooper. When I got a text message from Karen Atkinson saying, "Hey, can we have a conversation?" And hearing about what Notch & Forest is about, what they want to try and achieve, the support network that they have to be able to help myself go from being an athlete to a head coach as well as their vision, were all things that I was like, I have to say yes to this opportunity because it's something that doesn't come around every single day, and for it to be attached and aligned under such an amazing sporting banner is something that is exciting for myself, but also the sport of netball. I'm extremely passionate about my sport, so when I had that first interview and I remember signing off from her going, "Wow, this is something I want to be a part of." Chelsea Pittman is a legend of netball, isn't she? I mean, I played against her a few times, I'm not sure she would remember that, but I certainly do, and you know, gold medalist with the roses and such a successful Commonwealth game. Previous Diamond has experienced across Super League and Son Corp, getting a chance to even speak to her was unreal, and the vision that she has for Nottingham Forest netball over the next couple of years is so forward thinking, and so where we want female sport to be, and so where we want netball to be in this professional era, and just really was probably a no-brainer for me in terms of how exciting it could be. I do think there are going to be leaders in their own right in this new professional era, I think Nottingham Forest is going to very much lead the way, and so I think an opportunity, especially towards the end of my career of being a part of that was just something I couldn't turn down. And Iorna Christianson will also be part of their debut slide. It was super, super exciting to get a contract from Forest and be part of a new franchise, and I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to be back playing in the Super League. And I think, yeah, we've got a pretty exciting group of girls together at Forest and obviously under the head coach Chelsea and Shonen as well, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can produce this year. Obviously, you've worked with Karen in the past as well, and she's going to bring so much of the franchise. Yeah, I think she's working really closely with Chelsea. And she was obviously involved a little bit at the beginning with her recruitment and stuff like that. And, I mean, Karen's got such a brilliant netball brain, she's been involved in lots of different pathways, so to have her in part of the Forest franchise, albeit from a distance. Yeah, it's really good that she could be involved too. The integration of the Nottingham Forest name, the brand, we saw something similar, it was a blessed soul, but that's important isn't it, it's just the almost one brand, one club kind of approach. Yeah, it's massive, and it definitely feels like that as well, I mean, to have the back in from the football, they're both the men's and the women's game, and that's huge. They've obviously got brilliant facilities, they're a big club, they've got loads of supporters, and it's great to feel part of them, that bigger franchise piece, and yeah, it's a bigger kind of Nottingham Forest family, and it's great that netball can be a part of that, and the people kind of at the top of Nottingham Forest are really, really back the netball, and really want to put us all the way. Not an enrolment for us, you've spoken to Chelsea, I've spoken to Chelsea, what challenges do you think she's going to face? Well, I think it's a really big job, you know, Nottingham Forest, in terms of the football team, very, very well known, so there's sort of an expectation there already with the netball team, although they are a brand new franchise, and I think it's just going to be establishing those connections quite quickly, and creating a culture that everybody can get behind. So what is Chelsea going to bring to that role, and what's she going to ask those girls to follow, because when I was speaking to Serena about it, you know, she sort of said, you need to really trust the person on your left and on your right, you're going into battle essentially with these girls, and you know, you need everybody to be on the same page and to believe the same thing, so that those connections do flow through court. And I think that that, to generate that quite quickly for Super League 2025 is not going to be easy, and that'll be a build, you know, I don't know, we can't necessarily expect everything straight away from this league, it's going to be a process. But what I love about the team that Chelsea has put together is that she's thought about the pairings. So she's got a bookend, as it were, each end of the court, in terms of goal-shooter and goalkeeper, and she's brought in two new internationals to do that. So again, a South African player that's been playing out in Australia, who's called Strutka, and Kadondi, who we recognised from the Uganda Shecranes as well, so really sort of explosive power, something a little bit different in that defensive circle, but then she's recruited hairs of people, so she's got Tash Pavlin and Jada from Team Bath, so there's two there in terms of defence. Then she's got Hannah Layton and Iona Christian from Stratholite's Irons, again it's a two, and Rhea Dixon and Freya Henschel from Loughborough Lightning. So she's sort of thought about pairings that already work and how she can build on that. Not in the forest, Chelsea's got a lot of known combos in that squad. Yeah, she really has, and I think that is definitely smart of her because you've got Iona Christian and Hannah Layton, they've been together in Scotland, Rhea Dixon and Brie Griss, and they've spent time when they were at Leeds, Jada, Pakova, and Tash Pavlin at Bath, but it's not just players that have been in the same team, they've been in those same units, Jada and Tash both in that defensive end, Brie and Rhea in that goal-attack, wing-attack position. So again, it's good for her because, not in the forest now, but a brand new team, but you want to not be so far on that back-put when you're just trying to build players and connections. If you've got some connections already built and developed, you can then kind of work around that, and I think that's really, really careful from Chelsea to get these combinations together and then add in your rolling striker and your Felida Caudondi as your imports, who are, yeah, they're so solid and so strong, very impressed with Felida when she was playing with Uganda. She is so wily, comes out with ball that you just don't think, she's so athletic, and I think she can only grow and develop further playing in our league, and rolling, really come into fruition, her strength and her mindset, so accurate on the shot. She spent a little bit of time down in Australia with the Mavericks in their kind of training set up, had a couple of games in last season, but she is fearless when I saw her play up against Australia when she started her international journey. She didn't blink an eyelid, she even up against the world number one, she still came and stood at ground, so again, another good sign in to add to that, and it's now a case then, how can you make these players into a strong, consistent team? How quickly will there be pressure on Chelsea and the rest of the team to hit the ground running? I don't know whether you say pressure, everyone puts that on themselves to perform, we can week out, but I think they will get a little bit of leeway compared to some of the more established teams because they are new into the league, but I think as a high-performance team, you're looking to bring those results straight away. How does Pamela feel that this new era of the sport will add to the game in the UK? This is like Super League 2.0 now, so starting from a fresh, this is a new league, new teams, new philosophy, going into the professional era, over the next few years is the plan. So we're starting from fresh, let's go, go forward to it, you know I am, you know I am. The net will show is now also available via SkyQ and Sky Glass, so let's sport and we're on the podcast's rail. (air whooshing)
Part two of our 2025 Netball Superleague preview as we hear from coaches, players and get the thoughts of Lindsay and Pamela