Netball Super League | The First Interview: Allison on Team Bath’s melting pot of personalities

In Imogen Allison’s eyes, leadership is the defining factor of Team Bath Netball.

Back for her fifth year with the Vitality Netball Superleague team, Allison has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge when it comes to Bath and believes its shining jewel is the personality of its players.

Allison is part of a ‘new-look and vibrant’ squad for the 2023 season, after the losses of Layla Guscoth and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis have made way for the youthful talent of Phoebe Maslen and Sophie Kelly.

And with an energetic influx of personalities, Allison is only eyeing up more success.

She said: “Something that’s always been great about Bath is that there’s been quite a few people that will bring leadership qualities no matter what.

𝙎𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘽, 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍

We’re thrilled to announce a vibrant, new-look #BlueAndGold squad for the #VNSL2023 season that is ready to write an exciting #NewChapter in the club’s famous history 💙💛

Read more: https://t.co/mRiNyoh9cA pic.twitter.com/Cmjm8wTmGf

— Team Bath Netball (@TeamBathNetball) August 30, 2022

“People have always been in the squad taking on different roles and I’ve always enjoyed being a Bath leader.

“It’s just getting to know everyone, everyone being on the same page and it just means that if everyone can chip in and lead and bring what they can on the day.

“Leading Bath has always been pretty easy and it’s because of how great the players are and how great the coaches are that really facilitates it.

“The year we got to the final and Loughborough won it [in 2021], I will never forget that semi-final against Thunder.

“It was such a tight match and we were very even but for us to pip it at the end was a pretty incredible experience and that was the first time I had ever won a semi-final with Bath. So I’ll always remember that.”

Last season, Allison steered Team Bath to a third-place finish in the Superleague after defeating London Pulse in the third/fourth final at the Copper Box Arena.

The win has become one more netball memory to store but she’s adamant that her new squad are not stopping there.

She said: “Last season was a great season for us, we were pushing for that top four and we were very grateful to be able to get where we got to.

What a signing 🔥@Sophie_DL makes the switch from Team Bath to Surrey Storm ahead of #VNSL2023

Read what she had to say about one of the biggest moves of the summer 👇

— Vitality Netball Superleague (@NetballSL) September 5, 2022

“That win against Pulse in the third/fourth play-offs, of course we would have loved to have been in that final but we gave it the best we had.

“This year and looking forward, it’s always important to have top four in sight, but in terms of the start of the season you’ve just got to put out some performances and build the team, especially with it being a new one.”

Team Bath Netball now have an average age of 22 and Allison believes this can only be an advantage to her eager side.

And with the added bonus of new head coach Asha Francis, the Blue and Gold will be mixing their leadership mentality with a newfound energy for the 2023 season.

Allison said: “I always feel grateful to be a part of Bath. We’ve got quite a different look and different team this season so I think it’s really exciting.

𝘿𝙀𝙁𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙈𝙄𝘿-𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙏

💙 @lilymaycatling 💛
💙 @imoallison 💛
💙 @bethanndyke 💛
💙 @PhoebeMaslen04 💛 #BlueAndGold #VNSL2023 #NewChapter https://t.co/mRiNynZxO0 pic.twitter.com/7EdspOjR21

— Team Bath Netball (@TeamBathNetball) August 30, 2022

“I’m looking forward to preseason, to get to know everyone and see how they like to play.

“I think this young team is going to be really good for Bath. I’m a bit gutted that I’m over the average age but with youth comes a lot of eagerness and fight and I’m just excited to have such a mix of experience.

“I just think with the new team, we’ve got quite a good mix of personalities and for us to come together, the younger ones bring a lot of energy but the more experienced players are coming back into the Blue and Gold.

“With a new coaching style in Asha, mixing it up a little bit, it’s going to be good.”

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