Netball Super League | VNSL Weekly Recap: Week 3

Jo Tripp of Saracens Mavericks features in our weekly recap.

With eleven teams gearing up for the 2021 season, the news comes thick and fast in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

We have compiled the biggest news and the best bits of social media over the last seven days to get you up to speed.

Manchester Thunder announce first signings of the window

The Vitality Netball Superleague signing window for the 2021 season began last month and the honour of announcing the first transfer news of the off-season fell upon champions Manchester Thunder.

Thunder announced that academy graduates Berri Neil and Lois Pearson have been selected for the squad of 10 for the first time after a short spell as training partners during the 2020 campaign.

The youngsters will both contribute to Thunder’s attack next season with Neil plying her trade inside the shooting circle while Pearson starts as either a goal or wick attack. The news means that we are likely to see the duo make their VNSL debuts next term.

We are very excited to announce the promotion of our talented training partner Berri Neil to the first team 👏👏👏.

Please join us in congratulating Berri and welcoming her to the first team in the comments below 👇.#manchesterthunder #manchester #netball #congratulations pic.twitter.com/6NImlPZwCp

— Manchester Thunder (@thundernetball) September 3, 2020

Head Coach Karen Greig said: “The promotion of this emerging talent demonstrates in real terms the value and importance of Manchester Thunder’s Performance Pathway. I can’t wait to see what Berri and Lois can achieve as part of our squad for the 2020-2021 season.”

You can see how all the squads are shaping up for next season on our Transfers page or, alternatively, you can view our Twitter Moment to get all the news in one place.

Wasps Netball confirm coaches for the 2021 campaign

After guiding Wasps Netball to the Grand Final last season, it was announced that Mel Mansfield has returned as Head Coach as the club shared their coaching structure for the 2021 campaign.

This will be Mansfield’s third season as Head Coach and fifth year with the side after a spell as Assistant Coach during Wasps’ back-to-back title wins in 2017 and 2018.

✍🏽🏐@mjcmansfield has signed a new contract with the club!

➡️ https://t.co/9SFbij6t5s pic.twitter.com/qWBy3cfhd3

— Wasps Netball (@Wasps_Netball) September 1, 2020

She will be joined by Bianca Modeste and Colette Thomson as Assistant Coaches. The former – a defensive expert – has been with Wasps since 2019 while Thomson will be offering her vast netball knowledge to the Midlands outfit for the first time.

Franchise manager Sarah Taylor said: “Whilst I am personally delighted to have Mel lead our coaching line up for another season, her re-appointment puts the club in a great position to challenge for the Superleague title once again.

Strathclyde Sirens launch lifestyle brand

Scotland’s only Vitality Netball Superleague team, Strathclyde Sirens, launched their own lifestyle brand this week.

Sirens Lifestyle aims to bring all things netball, fitness, health and wellbeing, fashion, nutrition and more for their fans.

Today, we’re thrilled to launch our EXCITING new Sirens Lifestyle brand – bringing all things netball, fitness, health and well-being, fashion, nutrition and more to our fans👗💄

Read more: https://t.co/x1Cz4tOUgg pic.twitter.com/AYyCHYpHvS

— Strathclyde Sirens (@SirensNetball) September 4, 2020

Sirens will curate the best tips, advice and ideas from across a range of lifestyle areas to help fans. From interview prep and savings advice right through to recipes, workouts, shopping and style tips, Sirens Lifestyle will be a daily dose of support and positivity.

Over the coming weeks, Sirens will also be launching a brand new fitness and nutrition programme, a new official sportswear and retail partnership.

Superleague supports #TogetherWeAreNetball

The governing bodies for netball in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have come together to launch a joint initiative aimed at protecting the sport’s longevity and getting women and girls across the UK active again.

Unsurprisingly, lockdown placed significant financial strain on England Netball, Netball Northern Ireland, Netball Scotland and Welsh Netball, which are all not-for-profit organisations, meaning every penny earned via ticketing revenue and membership goes straight back into the sport.

The governing bodies for netball in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have come together to launch a joint initiative 🤝

Aimed at protecting the sport’s longevity and getting women and girls across the UK active again 🏃‍♀️#TogetherWeAreNetball

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) September 3, 2020

In a bid to tackle these significant challenges, the home nations launched a campaign called #TogetherWeAreNetball to encourage members to renew their membership for the 2020/21 season.

Fran Connolly, the CEO of England Netball, added: “To have all four nations coming together in support of this initiative is monumental. It shows what netball is all about and how much this sport matters to us all. None of us could have anticipated the impact COVID-19 would have and the pressures it would put our sport under but we are doing all we can to protect it.”

Saracens Mavericks join us on Superleague Social

In episode five of #SuperleagueSocial, host Jess Rogers was joined by Jo Trip and Razia Quashie from Saracens Mavericks.

The pair often line up together in a strong Mavericks defence and this time teamed up to discuss a range of topics and challenges.

The defenders discussed their ambitions to make the top four in 2021, training with the Vitality Roses, and their differing journeys to playing in the VNSL. They also take part in a VNSL and ANZ Premiership quiz!

Watch the full episode of Superleague Social for free above or watch our previous episodes with London Pulse, Loughborough Lightning, Strathclyde Sirens and Surrey Storm here. Get involved in the conversation by using #SuperleagueSocial on your socials.

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