Netball Super League | Manchester Thunder sign Taylor McKevitt from Strathclyde Sirens

Taylor McKevitt of Strathclyde Sirens during the Vitality Super League match between Celtic Dragons and Strathclyde Sirens at Studio 001, Wakefield, England on 21st January 2021.

Manchester Thunder have announced that their first signing of the 2023 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) Signing Window is Taylor McKevitt who joins from Strathclyde Sirens.

While the official window opens on Monday 8 August, the Manchester outfit were given permission to announce the deal early as McKevitt is also taking up employment with the club.

The WD/C will be undergoing off-court duties such as helping run the club’s ‘camps and masterclasses’ moving forward.

McKevitt started her netball career coming up through the ranks of the Thunder pathway, where she won five Northern Premier League titles, as well as being promoted to a training partner for the Thunder Superleague squad.

The 24-year-old then moved to London Pulse before being snapped up by Scottish club Strathclyde Sirens in 2019, where she has remained for the last three seasons.

McKevitt’s performances – which helped Sirens to their greatest-ever finish in 2021 – earned her a spot in the Future Roses set up for the 2022-23 season and has previously won U19 Netball Europe with her country.

McKevitt said: “Manchester Thunder is a pathway I came all the way through from youth. It is just super exciting that I’m able to come back and play for my home team for next season. I’m really excited to be back in the black and yellow, as well as the amazing team that we’ve got for this season, and I can’t wait to get started.”

In a statement, the club confirmed that McKevitt has been brought in to Laura Malcolm after the Thunder captain joined ANZ Premiership side with Tactix.

Karen Greig, Head Coach and Director of Netball for Manchester Thunder, said, “I am so excited to welcome Taylor back to Manchester Thunder. After a few seasons away at both Pulse and Sirens, it’s been fantastic to see her development into a starting seven athlete.

“Her ability to track opposition and turn over ball is a key attribute and one that will prove vital to how we like to play at Thunder. Having known and worked with Taylor from being 13, she is a product of our Thunder pathway and Taylor knows what it means to be a part of our Thunder family. I’m excited to work with her again.”

Talking about the other work she will be doing for Manchester Thunder off court, McKevitt said: “So as well as playing, you will see me a lot off the court as well. I am going to be involved with a lot of the camps and masterclasses that we’ve [Thunder] got coming up. So please stay tuned.”

Manchester Thunder has a big community programme running across the North West, consisting of netball camps, masterclasses, and in-school programmes, all designed to be a fun and exciting way to improve netball skills from their elite netball coaching team, helping players to gain experience to learn to play ‘The Thunder Way.’

Manchester Thunder camps are currently running throughout the summer holidays, for netballers aged from 8 to 14 years old. To find out more or to book your place, please visit www.manchesterthunder.co.uk/camps.

For news on all of the latest signings during the window, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on Twitter, Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter. To see the full overview of 2023 squads, visit our Transfers page.