Netball Super League | Thunder targeting more silverware

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Activity during the Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final match between Wasps Netball and Manchester Thunder at The Copper Box on May 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Vitality)

‘We’re ready to claim more silverware’ – Manchester Thunder prepare for The British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship

Manchester Thunder, the reigning Vitality Netball Superleague champions, return to court for the first time since their sensational Grand Final win at the end of the 2019 season.

Build up to the 2020 season continues as with the British Fast-5 All-Stars Championships at the Copper Box Arena. And, while the champions have not traditionally done well in this, the shortened form of the game, Director of Netball Karen

Greig is excited for the challenge ahead:

“As a squad, we’re really looking forward to the Fast-5 competition: we’ve had a solid three weeks of training, and while last night’s session was the first with all our players, including our overseas All-Stars, things really came together well. I’m excited for what we’ll be putting out on court tomorrow.”

Fast-5 is a shortened version of traditional netball, featuring teams of five players (instead of seven), with 12-minute games, rolling substitutions, powerplays and increased scoring opportunities via a bigger shooting zone. Greig is feeling confident about the Thunder side’s prospects:

“Our preparations have been good, and our overseas All-Stars – Aussie sharpshooter Erin Bell and Malawian pocket rocket midcourter Takonda Lawazi – have fitted into the line up seamlessly. They will certainly bring the X-Factor to our performance tomorrow, and we can’t wait to get going.”

Tomorrow’s competition will provide fans with the first opportunity for Thunder fans to see another Malawian, Loreen Ngwira, in Manchester colours, after the international signed for the north-west side from London Pulse in the summer.

Another familiar face will also suit up for the champions, with former training partner Taylor Cullen in the Thunder line up, before transferring to Strathclyde Sirens for the 2020 Superleague season.

“I’m really excited to see what this squad can do,” concludes Greig. “We’ve got a great balance of experience and flair, with international knowledge and emerging talent in abundance, all topped off with Erin Bell’s proven ability to sink the long bombs from all over the circle. It’s going to be fun!”

The British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland and on the following international networks:

Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix (UK & Ireland)
DAZN (USA, Canada, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, USA and Brazil)
zhibo.tv (China)
Sky (New Zealand)
Fox Sports (Australia)
Viasat (Scandinavia & The Baltic States)
Sportklub (Poland, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Kosovo)
TV Play (Latvia)

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