Team Guide: Nottingham Forest

Fresh, exciting and with everything to prove, Nottingham Forest are ready to make their Netball Super League debut in 2025.

One of two brand new teams to join the league this season, Forest will be starting from scratch as they pave their path through the netball landscape.

With a world-renowned coach and some thrilling talent laying the foundations, the midlands side are set to make instant impact.

Head Coach

Vitality Roses legend and former Netball Super League star Chelsea Pitman is stepping into new territory as head coach of Nottingham Forest this season.

A Commonwealth Games gold medallist with England in 2018, the wing attack boasts experience like few others.

Pitman played for the likes of Manchester Thunder, London Pulse and Adelaide Thunderbirds during her club career and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the emerging side as they look to stamp their mark on the league.

Captain

Niamh Cooper will lead out Nottingham Forest as captain in their first year on the court.

The Northern Irish international, who plays at wing defence, is a seasoned Super League player after making her debut back in 2014 with Team Northumbria.

Splitting her time as a netballer with her work as an A&E doctor, Cooper has made the NSL top four in the last two seasons and will be looking to steer her side to a maiden play-off spot once more in 2025.

Star Player

A two-time NSL champion with Loughborough Lightning, Rhea Dixon is pulling on the red dress this season.

With six years in the league behind her, Dixon was named MVP in 2024's Netball Super League Grand Final and plays in both shooting positions and at wing attack.

Dixon made her international debut for Jamaica against the Vitality Roses in 2024 and has earned seven caps to date but will be looking to shine for Forest in their debut season this year.

One To Watch

Jayda Pechova is one of the Netball Super League's most exciting young talents.

Comfortable at both goalkeeper and goal defence, Pechova quickly made a name for herself with her performances for Team Bath during two seasons in blue and gold, with her 28 intercepts the joint third-highest of any player in the NSL in 2024.

She made her senior debut for England back in 2023 against New Zealand and was part of the winning squad in the South Africa series. 

New Name

Falidah Kadondi will make her Netball Super League debut for Nottingham Forest.

The Ugandan She Crane has earned 21 caps to date for her country, was part of the squad at the 2023 Netball World Cup and was named Player of the Match when the She-Cranes faced Australia in the 2022 Fast5 World Series.

A pivotal goal keeper and defender for Weyonje Netball Club in recent years, 25-year-old Kadondi is the fifth Ugandan player to turn to the NSL in recent years.

Venues

The Motorpoint Arena is Nottingham Forest Netball's new home.

The venue will host all of Forest's home games in the 2025 season, and is also home to the City's ice hockey team, the Nottingham Panthers.

First home game

Nottingham Forest's first home game will be against the LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons in Round 2 at the Motorpoint Arena. The action will be live on Sky Sports.