Netball Super League | Kadeen Corbin relishing ‘Battle of the Bridge’

Credit: Fever Pitch

Kadeen Corbin admitted that she’s secretly fuelling off the rivalry between Team Bath and Cardiff Dragons ahead of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’.

The Bath attacker will star in the clash between the two rivals in round nine, as Asha Francis’ side look to grab their first win in seven games in front of a home crowd.

Both sides have seen players cross over the M4 and trade teams in their long history, with the likes of Hannah Passmore and Khanyisa Chawane moving to the Welsh side for the 2024 season.

And ahead of their battle, Corbin is excited to ignite the rivalry with their sisters over the Severn Bridge once more, live on Sky Sports.

“The ‘Battle of the Bridge’, is one hundred per cent a rivalry,” she said.

“It’s always been a really good contested game between Cardiff and Bath and we need to learn how to shut them down.

“Every where in this league there is rivalry and it’s so important that we hone in on them to make it exciting.

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A post shared by Kadeen Corbin (@kadburyz)

“As a fan, I love those rivalries and the competitiveness that comes with it.

“But as a player, I think it sometimes boosts you secretly. I know in my heart that this is one of those Games where I’m all for it and we have to kill it on the court.

“This week has been a really good training week so I think we’ll go like-for-like when it comes to those players and it will be really exciting game.”

Buy your tickets for the Battle of the Bridge here.

Bath currently sit ninth in the Netball Super League, with just one win to their name coming against Strathclyde Sirens in Round One.

Their fall-down, according to Corbin, comes from a lack of consistency, showcasing drive in the early or latter stages but not throughout the full 60 minutes of play, evident in their 67-51 loss to Leeds Rhinos in round eight.

But with a sneak peek at Dragons’ movements during their pre-season bout and a focus on keeping a fighting spirit in training, Corbin is ready for another battle on the court this weekend.

⏰ It’s Highlight O’Clock ⏰

Check out the highlights from Friday’s eggs-tra special home match against @RhinosNetballSL 🐣

Grab your tickets for this Friday’s Battle of the Bridge against @cardiffdargons_ :https://t.co/rOPhTKv66K #Netball #NSL2024 #BlueAndGold #Highlights pic.twitter.com/X32wFjrZvr

— Team Bath Netball (@TeamBathNetball) April 9, 2024

“We played them in pre-season so had a little taste of them then but it’s about looking at the rest of the season so far and seeing what we can take forward to try and get a consistent performance,” she said.

“We’re really focussing on what we’re doing and trying to be consistent as a unit.

“We lost an opportunity last week against Rhinos. There was a battle in the second half but unfortunately we just didn’t start really well.

“We’ve not started well or not finished well this season so we’ve been working on that fight and hunger that we have for each other.

“We need to be dogged in training so it’s easier to do that when it comes to a game.

“We know we can play for 30 minutes, but after that we need to think about what we can do to drive us for that next half and not giving up.”

Bath are sporting a relatively young team this 2024 season, with the average age of the squad sitting at 23, and Corbin easily one of the most experienced.

The goal attack and goal shooter is thrilled to see the new generation earning their place on the court, crediting 20-year-old Phoebe Maslen as the one-to-watch as she continues to soak in the netball scene.

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A post shared by 💙 Team Bath Netball 💛 (@teambathnetball_)

“Phoebe is a sponge, she’s taking everything in,” she said.

“She hones in on what she already does well but then is always thinking about what more she can do.

“The more you get on that court, you’re learning. Even when you’re losing you’re learning so it’s about tweaking those things you didn’t get so right.

“I watch her in training and just think that she has come on leaps and bounds this year and I’ve enjoyed seeing that.”

Corbin represented Barbados in her maiden World Cup appearance in Cape Town last year, donning the blue and yellow dress alongside her sister Sasha.

The Bajan Gems finished 14th overall in South Africa and Corbin returned to the domestic scene with newfound knowledge to give to her NSL teammates.

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A post shared by Kadeen Corbin (@kadburyz)

And with her role at Bath now transferring to a player-coach format, Corbin is cherishing being able to pass on her experience to the players of the future.

“To do that alongside Sasha was something we never thought we would do which was amazing,” she said.

“I went straight back into the domestic head and as a player-coach, I was thinking about how, now I’ve played against different styles, how I can move the next generation on and get to that competitiveness I have done.

“It’s nice to bring in my knowledge to help other people whilst also playing with them on the court.”

Image credit: Fever Pitch

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