Netball Super League | Wasps new signing Baker set for home debut

Wasps Netball’s Alexia Baker is set to make her home Superleague debut on Monday – but has already been making an impact for the Club away from the court.

Alexia, who joined the Club in January, has been working as part of the wider Wasps delivery team alongside teammate Tamsin Moala as the Black and Golds gear up for the new season.

Wasps start their 2020 home campaign on Monday 2 March (7.30 pm centre-pass) against Saracens Mavericks at Ricoh Arena.

When they aren’t training with the squad, Alexia and Tamsin both work in the community engagement team based at Ricoh Arena.

Tamsin is responsible for organising children’s half-term camps, training sessions in schools and adult training sessions – while Alexia gets out into the local community and leads the sessions.

Alexia said: “My role away from the court is to deliver training sessions out in the community. I really do love it, getting the chance to meet so many talented young aspiring players.

“I’m new to the country as well, and only moved over from Australia recently, so I’m getting to travel around the region and see the country while working too.

“I’ve settled in really nicely here in England and I’m loving it.”

While working within the wider Wasps business, Tamsin says they are developing key transferrable skills that will support their post-netball careers.

Tamsin added: “At Wasps, we’re committed to getting more people playing netball and that’s something I’m really passionate about too.

“We get to know some of the kids too, you see them courtside on game day and it’s creating a great community.

“Doing this work away from the court is definitely setting us up for the future, giving us skills to take into careers, such as sport development, website management, social media or marketing.”

The match against Mavericks on Monday night will be Wasps’ second fixture of the season, following the opening-day clash against reigning champions Manchester Thunder, who won the contest 62-55 in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

But Alexia says the team are improving in every training session and will be eager to bounce back with a win.

“We are building each week and developing stronger connections that will have a big impact as we progress through the rounds” she said.

“I think we’re all very confident that we can do it and make the finals again. We do have some new combinations that are starting to gel really nicely.

“It will be my first time playing at Ricoh Arena so I’ll be especially excited, I’ve heard great things about the atmosphere and we’re all looking forward to putting on a show for our fans at home.”

Tamsin added: “Mavericks are a quality side. We’re expecting it to be a really challenging game, but we are relishing the test and we’re looking forward to it.”

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