OG Magge back for year four with the Rhinos

Northern Ireland defender Michelle Magee will return to the Rhinos for her fourth season at the club.  Magee was part of the inaugural Rhinos squad who debuted in the 2021 Netball Super League campaign.

After playing in the Loughborough Pathway for three years she was signed by her former international coach Dan Ryan to make the step up to Super League in 2021 and made her Rhinos debut against Loughborough.  She played five times in that first season and in 2022 earned a regular place in the squad, making 17 appearances and a further 16 last year.

She offers the Rhinos versatility in defence with her ability to play across three positions and stood up last year as part of the leadership group.  Away from netball, Magee is currently doing an internship as part of her Masters in Pharmaceutical Development at the University of Leeds. 

On the international scene, her first appearance for Northern Ireland came in 2018, aged 18 and played for her country in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.  She has captained Northern Ireland U17s, Vice Captain for the U21s and competed in the 2017 World Youth Cup in Botswana. In 2019 she was named Northern Ireland’s International Young Player of the Year.

Speaking about her new deal, Magee said: “I am delighted to be back at the Rhinos for another season.  I love this club. I’ve been through the highs and lows from the start and it’s been amazing to see our fan base grow in that time.

“We’re still a relatively new franchise so naturally there’s a lot more to be done but there's ambition within the club and I’m looking forward to the season. The squad is a mix of experience and youth, with new players and Rhinos OGs in there too so I’m excited to see what we put together. Hopefully, we will be an entertaining team for our fans to watch in the 2024 season.”

Leeds Rhinos Director of Netball, Liana Leota said: “I am grateful to have Michelle returning next season.  I think this season in particular is going to be a huge learning curve for her and also an opportunity for her to cement her position. 

“Michelle is always willing to learn and ask questions and wants to be better and I think working alongside Geva Mentor and some of the other signings in defensive positions are going to help grow her game and see it from a different point of view and style.  I know she will do all the hard work and now it’s about building those connections with her peers around her and being a formidable goal defence in our 2024 campaign.”