How the 2023 Signing Window looks so far

Loughborough Lightning and Severn Stars are the only teams left to start announcing their 2023 squads as the window has been in a frenzy of movement since August.

Here are some of the biggest singings to date:

Surrey Storm:

Mikki Austin’s Surrey Storm have caused a stir this season with new signings Layla Guscoth and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis.

The England Roses players previously played for Team Bath Netball but have decided to take on the new challenge together at Storm.

The 2022 seventh-place finishers have also retained top goal scorer Proscovia Peace for the upcoming season.

Drakeford Lewis said: “There were a lot of factors I had to consider. I’ve had a great five years down at Team Bath, four as a student and one last year as a full-time athlete.

“I thought I just needed a bit of a change and so when the opportunity came around to go to Surrey Storm, it was one I couldn’t really look past.

“And the prospect of playing in such an exciting team with the likes of Peace, and the other really experienced mid-courters, was really enticing.”

Thanks for helping us find that last name 😏… pic.twitter.com/yWNNW0Hwk4

— Bartercard Surrey Storm (@SurreyStorm) September 5, 2022

Team Bath Netball:

With the loss of Guscoth and Drakeford-Lewis, Team Bath have revealed a fresh-faced team for 2023 with an average age of 22.

The squad retains Imogen Allison and Betsy Creak while also signing up shooter Kadeen Corbin from Saracens Mavericks and youngsters Jayda Pechova and Sophie Kelly.

18-year-old Kelly said: “Having young players in the team makes everything way more exciting.

“We all have different experiences throughout our netball career, you might think of different things, we can bring in new stuff to the team.

“We’re looking to do a lot, there’s quite a lot of change in the team and the starting line-up will look very different.

“It’s just about growing together as a team.”

Leeds Rhinos:

Nia Jones and Caroline O’Hanlon have joined a new-look Leeds Rhinos that has Severn Stars’ Liana Leota as director of netball.

The squad also have Elle McDonald previously of Adelaide Thunderbirds and Ellie Bird from Trident Homes Tactix journeying to Yorkshire alongside South Africans Nicola Smith and Elmere van der Berg.

Jones said: “From a personal point of view, it was a challenge that I felt if I turned it down I would probably live to regret it.

“This is pretty much an unknown for me and I’m really going to have to go up there and prove myself to the coaching staff, to my teammates and to the fanbase.

“I’m kind of relishing that because I think it will be great for my game and to keep learning.”

📢 Who’s ready to hear who the 10th player to sign for the #RhinosNetball 2023 squad is?
Over to you Thirsk Netball…#SigningWindow2023 pic.twitter.com/B3mtolZEWh

— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) September 8, 2022

Manchester Thunder:

Reigning Superleague champions Manchester Thunder said goodbye to several players this summer, with Laura Malcolm and Eleanor Cardwell going overseas.

But with exits came new signings as South Africa’s Lenize Potgieter joins alongside Loughborough Lightning’s Ella Bowen and Rhinos’ Amy Clinton.

Potgieter said: “I’m really excited especially to go to Thunder as they’re the champions – it’s a lot of pressure but I like pressure.

“They execute the skills so well and that’s what I’m missing – I’m missing basic, skill netball, traditional netball where there’s no super shot or running subs. I’m craving normal netball.”

Statement signings ✍

England internationals @ChelseaPitman & @jadeyclarke will be wearing @Pulse_Netball pink next season 💗#SigningWindow2023 pic.twitter.com/mCmgSr0DM7

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) September 16, 2022

London Pulse:

After a brilliant 2022 season, Pulse are no longer the underdogs, and their Sky Sports team announcement has confirmed that.

Former Rhinos player Jade Clarke and West Coast Fever’s Chelsea Pitman join the squad in an exciting move.

Head coach Sam Bird said: “Last year was a breakout season for our club making the Top 4 playoffs.

“However, the pain of not making the final, means that this year we are working to win the VNSL championship.

“It’s clear from our player roster that we have the quality and strength in depth to be viewed as serious contenders to do that.”

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