Netball Super League | Austin and Brookes become Surrey Storm’s first signings of 2023

Brookes during the match between Severn Stars and Surrey Storm at Resorts World, Birmingham, England on 5th February 2022

Surrey Storm have announced that their first signings of the 2023 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) Signing Window are Player/Coach Mike Austin and club captain Yasmin Brookes.

Entering her fourth year as Player/Coach, Mikki Austin’s first action was to retain the nucleus of the squad by getting the signature of last season’s captain Yasmin Brookes.

Brookes, formally Parsons, joins Austin as two of the longest serving players in the franchise. Brookes heads into her ninth season with Storm as Austin follows with her eighth as a player.

Last season displayed a new style of play for the attacking pair utilising a dynamic goal shooter in Proscovia Peace. This saw player coach Mikki Austin finishing the season top five in feeds across the entirety of the VNSL with 337.

Austin made a statement of intent last season that Storm would no longer be sitting at the bottom of the table. As a result of some key signings and improved performances, Storm kept from tenth in 2021 to seventh in 2022.

Looking to continue the franchise’s development, Austin said: “It’s an honour to represent this franchise in any capacity.

“To continue into my fourth season as the world’s only Player/Coach and Director of Netball is an achievement I’m very proud of and extremely grateful for. We made big inroads both on and off court in VNSL 2022 and I have worked tirelessly over the off season to continue the upward trajectory within the Signing Window.

“We aim to bring world class netballers to Surrey sports park, to don the duck egg blue kit, inspire the next generation of netballers and to continue to maintain an environment of great people with one objective – propelling this franchise as high as possible in the VNSL in 2023.

“Storm fans, we thank you for your unwavering support and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2023 for what is I’m sure to be, another rollercoaster of a season.”

Matching Austin’s enthusiasm, Brookes said: “As soon as Mikki asked me the question about resigning for 2023, there was no hesitation.

“I’m Storm through and through and, with the developments and progressions we’ve made last season, I’m seeing it out till the end with this team. I’m extremely excited about this season and, being one of the longest standing team members, alongside coach Mikki, it’s our time to push forward even further this season.

“This team is special, and they are like family to me. We must hold ourselves accountable and strive for the best- my job as captain is to facilitate that. We’ve got some exciting new members that will fit right in, so watch this space.”

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.

On Twitter, you’ll be able to keep across the ins and outs with our 2023 Signing Window Twitter Moment. For specific club news, be sure to be across all eleven of our teams on their respective social media accounts and subscribe to our List.

We will also be covering each signing in full on our website, offering weekly round-ups and are offering a comprehensive overview of 2023 squads on our Transfers page. Don’t miss out!