Netball Super League | Vitality Netball Superleague transfer window explained

Emma Dovey of Manchester Thunder lifts the trophy as she celebrates winning the Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final match between Wasps Netball and Manchester Thunder at The Copper Box Arena on May 18, 2019.

The Vitality Netball Superleague signing window opens this week and it gives our 10 franchises the opportunity to shape their squads ahead of the 2020 season.

The window provides teams with a six-month period to bolster their ranks as well as retain the services of key players, who may be attracting attention from elsewhere.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the opening of the window:

When does the signing window open and close?

The signing window opens for Vitality Netball Superleague on Thursday 1 August and will be closed on Wednesday 8 January, when all franchises will be expected to finalise their squads.

Who can franchises sign?

Franchises can sign a maximum of 15 players during the window. They can approach any player who is out of contract and, similarly to last season, sign players from overseas.

How large can squads be?

Matchday squads are being reduced to 10 from next season. Previously, franchises would have a matchday squad of 12.

The 15 registered players will normally consist of 10 squad players and five training partners. However, any of the 15 can be named in the matchday squad.

What were the key signings from last season?

Serena Guthrie (Giants to Team Bath )

Vitality Roses captain Serena Guthrie returned to Team Bath after a four-year stint abroad in New Zealand and Australia. The 29-year-old, who had previously won three league titles with Team Bath in an eight-year spell from 2007, returned to her first club after leaving Australian side Giants. The centre became a pivotal player for Team Bath as they went onto finish third.

Bongiwe Msomi (Adelaide Thunderbirds to Wasps Netball)

Bongiwe Msomi made a return to the Vitality Netball Superleague last September having spent a year away with Adelaide Thunderbirds. This mid-court star was influential in Wasps Netball’s 2017 title-winning campaign and was impressive again last season, helping her side to another Grand Final.

Eleanor Cardwell (Severn Stars to Manchester Thunder)

Manchester Thunder made an early statement of intent as they re-signed Eleanor Cardwell from Seven Stars last August. The Vitality Roses shooter spent two years with Stars and saw her international stock rise during her time in the Midlands. The 24-year-old was instrumental in their journey to Grand Final glory last season.

Ama Agbeze (Northern Stars to London Pulse)

One of the biggest names in netball was on the move last year as Ama Agbeze left New Zealand’s Northern Stars to front London Pulse’s new squad. Due to injury, Agbeze didn’t feature as often as she would have liked but her arrival demonstrated Pulse’s ambitions.

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