Netball Super League | Shining bright: Severn Stars’ NSL history

No-one saves the best for last quite like Severn Stars.

The team officially entered the Netball Super League for the 2017 season and like the river which lends them their name, their journey has contained plenty of twists and turns.

It recently culminated in a historic end as the club reached the top four for the very first time.

Over the years, Stars have built themselves from a fledgling team to a fierce title contender who still knew how to have fun on and off the court.

As Gabby Marshall so perfectly put it: “There are people who have been here from the beginning who have seen this franchise grow from something quite small to a team competing in the final four.

“I’m really proud of the journey and bringing finals netball to the fans.

“We’ve come out firing, made that top four and done things that no other Stars team has ever done.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Severn Stars (@severnstars)

Initially formed as a partnership between the University of Worcester and the University of Gloucestershire, Stars were one of three teams to make their Super League debuts in 2017, alongside Wasps and the formerly named Scottish Sirens.

The Head Coach role went to former Australian-Tongan player Mo’onia Gerrard whose early squad included the likes of Eleanor Cardwell and Josie Janz-Dawson. Off the court, Anita Navin and Pamela Cookey provided expertise and guidance for the new franchise.

Stars showcased their intent in the opening 15 minutes of their Super League debut, taking on the reigning champions Surrey Storm at Surrey Sports Park and coming away with a first quarter victory of 11-10. They eventually fell to a 58-40 defeat in their opening match, but it was an electric start that let everyone know Stars meant business.

With five victories to their name that season, Stars closed out their opening campaign in a respectable eighth place before the years that followed saw the Worcester-based side dance around the middle of the table.

The influx of Sam Bird as Head Coach between 2017 and 2019 brought a level of stability to the side, who were starting to find their way in the league.

The dynamic duo: Cat Tuivaiti and Liana Leota

Back-to-back sixth place finishes saw a progression on and off the court for the players who began to find a rhythm and produce some dramatic netball, including a handful of narrow thrillers, before a difficult couple of years saw Stars struggle to reach the heights they knew they were capable of.

In July 2019, Melissa Bessell was appointed Head Coach of Severn Stars, an appointment that created transformative change off the court as well as building performances on it. Bessell brought with her a Kiwi influence and a passion to support players and staff in all aspects of their life on and off the court. Creating a family focus that brought everyone at the club together, Bessell laid the foundations for the truly special culture that has continued to build at Severn Stars throughout their time in the NSL.

In no year was this more evident than in 2022, when Stars made a real statement off the court in their commitment to supporting mothers in the game. Stars boasted five mothers on their playing and coaching staff that season, including netball icons Liana Leota and Cat Tuivaiti, with a total of 17 children between them. The support that the franchise offered their players and staff as they juggled motherhood with elite sport was proof of the diverse and inclusive organisation that Severn Stars had worked hard to build and prioritise both on and off the court.

Stars finished bottom of the table that season in 11th place, with just three wins to their name, and as Bessell headed home to New Zealand for family reasons, fellow Kiwi and NSL fan-favourite player, turned player coach Jo Trip took the helm.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Severn Stars (@severnstars)

Trip knew there was work to be done for her side and soon set in motion a change for Stars to became history-makers in their own right.

This change saw Issy Eaton and Lucy Herdman the only players to return for the 2023 year with an exciting new blend of players set to take Stars to dizzying heights.

“It did feel tough because it felt good in training but just wasn’t coming together,” said Herdman, reflecting on the past season.

Trip’s new group of self-proclaimed ‘weirdos’ began to embrace their love of just playing netball. That coupled with a realistic target to win 50 per cent of their games saw the fruits of their labour immediately bloom, downing Saracens Mavericks 59-55 in the Season Opener at the club’s fifth time of asking.

It was all about having fun and being inspired on the netball court for the squad of 12 who fell just short of their target that year, winning seven games out of 18 and leaping back up to sixth in the table.

Off the court, Stars continued to advocate for and fully embrace supporting female health in sport. From raising awareness of the NETBALLHer initiative at home games, to partnering with the sports bra company Maree and introducing menstrual cycle education to their pathway sessions, the Worcester-based side truly showcased the importance of building our knowledge of female health in sport.

Jo Trip of Severn Stars is seen giving a team talk following the 3rd/4th place match between London Pulse and Severn Stars during the Netball Super League 2024 Grand Final at Resorts World Arena on June 29, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)

Meanwhile on the court, key singings in the likes of NSL debutant Jas Brown, and league stalwarts Jess Shaw and Sigi Burger helped transform the side, continually proving their dominance on the court.

Shaw particularly carried her experience forward to finish second in overall feeds that season, going one step further the following year to top the standings with a stellar 689 feeds.

“As soon as we started training together, I knew that it was something special,” said centre Kelsie Taylor.

“Coming from the bottom last year and having a brand new team was a bit overwhelming but we set internal goals of winning 50 per cent of our games which is realistic,” added Trip.

“We’re exciting and we’re unknown and I think we will surprise some teams. We want to become a top team ourselves.”

And as if Trip spoke the words into existence, it was a perfect end to Stars’ journey as they roared to a fourth place finish in the 2024 NSL season.

The injection of NSL legends Rachel Dunn and Sam Wisbey as technical coaches, paired with Trip’s management, pushed the team to their limits, and Stars lost just four games during the regular season.

Our Stars had a great fun on Monday night showing their incredible versatility giving the fans a show one last time! Even our Franchise manager Claire stepped on court 🤩

Thank you to all the players who put so much effort into the game after 20 rounds of NSL!💙🌟🧡#UpTheStars pic.twitter.com/4gPOWb3VdZ

— Severn Stars NSL (@SevernStars) July 4, 2024

With plenty of iconic moments to choose from, the Worcester side shone brightest during their tantalising 54-47 victory over high-fliers London Pulse in Round 5 that sent shockwaves through the league.

Months later, in the bronze final, Trip’s side built an early lead that extended to eight goals at its height and looked set to be enough for victory before Bird’s London Pulse fought back for a 52-48 victory.

But their final four appearance was about more than victory for Stars, whose inclusion on Grand Final day was a vision of perseverance and growth. And if there’s one thing the enduring spirit of Stars has taught us, it’s that, no matter what, there’s always room to have fun on the netball court.

To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter.