Netball Super League | Aliyah Zaranyika returns to Saracens Mavericks’ squad

Aliyah Zaranyika and Collard featured in a Saracens Mavericks huddle.

After making her Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) debut in the short-lived 2020 season, Aliyah Zaranyika has re-signed for Saracens Mavericks.

The teenager made her Mavericks debut in front of 9,000 spectator at Arena Birmingham in 2020’s Season Opener, where the Hertfordshire side beat Severn Stars.

Zaranyika, who had previously trained with the first-team, earned her chance after impressing at U21 level and at pre-season tournaments such as The Big Showdown.

A fast, powerful defender, she will be hoping to get a first full season under her belt. An irrepressibly positive personality in the squad, the youngster is as kind and courageous as she is fast and powerful.

Reflecting on her selection, she said: “I’m so excited and extremely grateful to be re-joining the Mavs senior squad for a second season. Having come through the Pathway, this has been an incredible journey so far and I can’t wait for it to continue.”

🔊 SOUND ON | #ThisOnesOurs

She is our @MavericksNpl U19/U21 & @EnglandNetball #Academy 🌹 player signing for @NetballSL #VNSL2021

7⃣ @AliyahZii #⃣9⃣1⃣

🎵 credit | @playdeadbanduk

📺 credit | @SkyNetball
#BeAMaverick❤️🖤 #TogetherSaracens⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/0uLRTMjAVN

— Saracens Mavericks (@SaracensMavs) October 20, 2020

Zaranyika has also impressed those in charge of the Roses Academy, gaining a spot in the programme in January after an impressive trial.

Zaranyika also represents London-based Cumberland Netball Club in Premier League 1 and was tipped as a player for the future by Head Coach Polini Langi.

The news comes after an announcement earlier in the day that fellow ‘rookies’ Bella Baylis and Britney Clarke would also be making the step up to the VNSL next term.

Last week, Mavericks made it known that a handful of Vitality Roses would also be staying in Hertfordshire next term. These included Kadeen Corbin Jodie Gibson, Razia Quashie and Gabby Marshall.

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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