Netball Super League | Sophie Morgan returns to lead the Dragons for 2021

Sophie Morgan of Celtic Dragons against Team Bath Netball in 2020. Credit | IAN COOK

Celtic Dragons have started to reveal their squad for the prospective 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague season with the announcement that Wales’ Sophie Morgan will once again be leading the franchise on court as captain.

Morgan, 28, joined Wales’ elite franchise last season, returning after spells with Surrey Storm and Manchester Thunder. She was named captain after impressing both on and off-court ahead of the truncated 2020 season where she led Dragons in their three matches before the league was suspended.

The dynamic wing-attack has enjoyed a fantastic netball career to date. Beginning her elite career in Manchester Thunder’s pathway, before rising through the ranks of the Wales age-group set-up to eventually earning over 30 senior caps for her country. She has been a part of numerous Welsh squads, including representing Wales at two World Youth Cups and the 2011 Netball World Cup in Singapore.

Sharing her thoughts on re-signing for 2021, Morgan said: “It was a no brainer for me to sign for Dragons for the coming season.

“As much as the 2020 season was a short and sweet one, I was extremely excited about our squad and what we could do going forward. Overall we had a very young team, but from the three games we were lucky enough to play I think we showed character and spells of exciting netball that teams struggled to stop.

“Over time, as we develop some further consistency, I think we can really challenge teams within the league.”

Speaking about the talent within the team, Morgan added: “As a group, we have a winning mentality and we have the players to get the job done.

“It’s all about us bringing the best out of each others style of play and working to one another’s strengths. The talent within this team excites me and after Fast5 and the opening round of the 2020 season I am confident in saying that we have the backing of Superleague fans!”

On her personal goals for the season, Morgan was keen to keep on improving. She said: “My aim for the season is to develop my game and add a little more precision with my play. I also want to help bring out the best in our younger, less experienced players.

“As captain, I want to continue playing an important role in the leadership of this group and bringing everyone together, both on and off the court.”

Tania Hoffman, Celtic Dragons Director of Netball, was pleased to finally be able to reveal players for 2021. She said: “The cancellation of the Superleague was extremely disappointing for our athletes, management team and fans. The Superleague is the ‘shop-window’ for elite netball in this country and it has been such a shame to go such a long time without top-level netball.

“However, health and well-being are our number one priority and we are so excited to be in a position to begin making signing announcements ahead of 2021. The netballers that we have signed have worked incredibly hard on their own fitness and conditioning throughout this strange few months and I am confident that they will be ready for the long pre-season ahead!”

Hoffman was thrilled to share the news of Morgan’s re-signing. She said: “We are ecstatic to have been able to retain Sophie for 2021. As the disappointment of the cancelled season last year, I felt that it was vital to have continuity and consistency within our set-up, and Sophie brings this.

“Sophie will lead our squad as captain once again. Not only because she has bags of experience in elite netball, but also because her professionalism and support of her team-mates makes her a natural leader within our group.”

Celtic Dragons will be revealing further signings and re-signings during the month of October as the road towards the 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague continues.

You can keep up to date with all the latest signing window news on our dedicated Transfers page or with our Twitter Moment.

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