Netball Super League | Liana Leota: “We’re honoured to bring netball into the homes of the whole UK”

Liana Leota of the international Vitality Netball Superleague All Stars.

The international Vitality Netball Superleague All Stars take on the Vitality Roses in the Vitality Netball Legends Series this evening.

The two teams will play three times in Loughborough for the Jean Hornsby Cup in front of the Sky Sports cameras on 20, 22 and 24 January.

The All Stars are made up of a squad of 13 who play their club netball in the UK. These stellar names include the likes of 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup medallist Natalie Panagarry, Malawi international Joyce Mvula and Commonwealth Games winner Liana Leota.

The latter players her domestic netball with Severn Stars having joined the side from Manchester Thunder for the 2020 season. Leota, a former VNSL champion, says she is excited to get going after their first training session as a team on Monday.

“I’m very excited [following our first session]. There has been so much information given out and we’re just taking it all in and then putting it on court,” said Leota.

“We had a few through courts, a few balls out the back but I think we’ll slowly get there you know. We haven’t got much time but I think the more practice we can get, the better we’re going to get.

“It’ll take a little time but we’re enjoying being together.”

The New Zealand international will reunite with Head Coach Karen Greig who worked with the mid-courter during her time with Manchester Thunder. She will also be working under Wasps Netball’s Mel Mansfield and Sheonah Forbes.

“It’s been really good. I think for me, I know Karen’s structures so it’s just like coming into Manchester Thunder or a new team,” said Leota.

“Mel is in the defence end so I won’t really have too much to do with that aspect, but she’s been good.

“I think that it’s just been a really lovely environment to come into. You know with all the protocols and stuff, I think it’s been like a family scene and we’ve all sort of started to get into it.”

This will be the Vitality Roses’ first outing on home soil since the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in January 2020 and will be the first competitive action for these VNSL players since the 2020 season ended.

Leota is relishing the opportunity to get back out on court and to see netball return to the television screens of the Netball Family

“We’re hugely honoured to be in this position. There are only a select number of us that are going to be able to get out on court and play, and just to bring some netball into the homes of the whole UK is amazing,” she said.

“Whether it’s a fan, the young girls or the older players, they just want to see netball back on court so I’m very lucky to be in this position to be able to go into the homes of everyone in the UK.”

Watch the first game on Sky Sports Arena and Mix on Wednesday 20 January from 5:30pm. All matches will also be streamed on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.

A huge thank you to everyone for making the Vitality Netball Legends Series happen and the continued support from all of our partners during these challenging times.

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