Netball Super League | Severn Stars name squad for Fast5 2019

Severn Stars will welcome two international all-star players to its squad for the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.

Former New Zealand international Leana De Bruin and Samoan international Alyssa-Jean Savelio join Stars’ line-up for the tournament, which sees eight Netball Superleague teams battle it out at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday, October 12.

They will join the Stars squad of: Nia Jones, Ella Powell-Davies, Liana Leota, Lucy Harris, Bethan Dyke, Paige Reed, Georgia Rowe and guest player Tuaine Keenan.

Run by Matchroom Sport, the Championship sees teams compete in a double-elimination group stage for a spot in the semi-finals, with the eventual winners taking home £25,000. Innovations include a double-point Power Play, 5-point line and 12-minute matches. Each team has the opportunity to recruit two all-star players for the day, meaning international stars from around the world can play.

De Bruin has represented both South Africa and New Zealand on the international stage. She played for New Zealand for 16 years, earning 104 caps and won one Netball World Cup and two Commonwealth Games gold medals.

The 42-year-old defender recently retired but was playing for Northern Stars in the ANZ Championship, New Zealand’s premier netball league.

“I’m pretty excited about the opportunity to play on this side of the world and hope to bring my experience to the side. I’m also a bit nervous but in general, just looking forward to just enjoying myself and playing again.”

“You can’t look past the excitement that Fast5 brings to our sport and I love the intensity of it and also the intelligence that you need to play the game.”

Savelio, who also currently lives in New Zealand, has played for Samoa since 2018 and represented the team in the 2019 Pacific Games.

The 25-year-old Samoan/Maori can play at goal attack, goal shooter and wing attack and also has more than 50 caps playing indoor netball for New Zealand.

Savelio, who will be coming to the UK for the first time, said: “I am very excited to play for the Stars and to learn, adapt and see the game differently. I hope to bring my quick thinking, passion and love for the game to the court. There is quite a bit of hype around the tournament so I’m excited to be part of the culture that comes with Fast5 from both the teams and also the fans.”

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