Netball Super League | 2023 Season Preview: London Pulse

Chelsea Pitman and Zara Everitt of London Pulse raise their hands towards the camera

As one of Netball Super League’s newer sides, the 2023 season will be London Pulse’s fourth full season in the competition.

Having finished bottom in their first season, the capital’s side have improved each season and have shown no signs of slowing down as they look to improve upon their inaugural play-off finish from 2022.

Last Season

Having won just one of their opening three games, Sam Bird’s side responded by winning their next five games in a row.

A key 53-46 victory over fifth-placed side Saracens Mavericks in round 14 and a 52-45 final-round triumph over Leeds Rhinos ensured Pulse finished in the top four for the first time in their history.

Their semi-final defeat to Loughborough Lightning denied them a spot in the Grand Final but a record-high finish and impressive campaign offer plenty of optimism heading into 2023.

Signing Window

Looking to build on solid foundations from last year, Pulse have kept a largely settled squad in the off-season this year but moved to bring in a pair of experienced players to add to their squad.

Australian and England international Chelsea Pitman joins from West Coast Fever in Australia, while legendary centre Jade Clarke is brought in from Leeds Rhinos.

Kira Rothwell has departed for Saracens Mavericks, while Jas Odeogberin has made the switch to Loughborough Lightning.

2 Days To Go. Who’s Ready to #FeelThePulse 💗🖤 pic.twitter.com/3K3POnSk5b

— London Pulse Netball (@Pulse_Netball) February 9, 2023

Star Player

Funmi Fadoju may be only 20 years old but the defender is a key player in this Pulse side and has already made nine appearances for the England Roses.

Fadoju was named the NSL young player of the year in both 2021 and 2022 and made a mammoth 105 turnovers, 123 deflections and 50 interceptions at the heart of the Pulse defence last year.

After a breakout winter in the red dress that announced her to the rest of the world, Fadoju is set for another huge season in Pulse pink.

One to Watch

England Futures star Berri Neil is set for her second season with London Pulse after her move from Manchester Thunder.

It did not take long before Neil adapted to life in the capital as she enjoyed a highly fruitful campaign last season, scoring 80 goals in just 22 appearances with a staggering 90.91 goal percentage.

“I think Berri Neil will be one of those to break through this year,” said Sam Bird.

Finger on the Pulse 💗

Congratulations to @Pulse_Netball‘s @FadojuFunmi on her Player of the Match award for the Vitality Roses 🙌

An outstanding game from the 20-year old! pic.twitter.com/WJi1ogSO6U

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) January 25, 2023

“She moved away from Manchester last year and has grown up quite a lot; living independently, is working hard in training and she is a fantastic young player.

What They Said

“We want to back up the performances we put out last year and even overshoot,” said captain Zara Everitt.

“We’re thriving in that environment of being expected to be up there in the top four and excited to prove people right.

“We have a couple of new players in the team who are going to provide something else, people have seen them perform on the international stage.

“All of our athletes are developing all the time and we hopefully have a few tricks up our sleeves.

“We have so many combinations that are so strong, and hopefully this confidence from last year will carry us through tough games.”

😍 She’s an icon, she’s a legend and she is the moment.

Congratulations on your 200th cap, @jadeyclarke 👏 pic.twitter.com/See38l247P

— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) January 25, 2023

Coach’s Corner

Appointed head coach in May 2019, Sam Bird has taken Pulse from strength to strength over the past few years and now acts as the side’s Director of Netball and CEO overseeing a talented squad of players.

“It’s a really exciting time to be involved at London Pulse,” Bird said.

“We have got lots of high-profile players; some that we have nurtured through our pathway and some that we have brought in this year.

“Expectations are higher this year. We made play-offs last year and we are certainly aiming to do that again. We are very honest about those ambitions.”