14 Jan 2025
Netball Super League Season Preview 2024
2025 marks a new year and a fresh rebrand for Netball Super League as the start of the season is under two months away.
NIC Leeds Rhinos are one of eight franchises that make up this year's competition, which sees sides made up of 10 players go head to head over 14 rounds to decide who finishes in the coverted top four semi final spots. With two new sides thrown into the mix this year too in Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest, there is plenty of excitement already for the opening round of the season on 14th March.
Ahead of the start of the season, here is a preview of our opponents in 2025:
Birmingham Panthers
One of the newest franchises joining NSL for 2025 is Birmingham Panthers, who represent the West Midlands in this year's competition.
Headed up by Jo Trip, formerly of Severn Stars, the Panthers' first NSL squad is made up largely of previous Severn players, including last year's top goal scorer Sigi Burger (pictured), defensive threat Jasmine Brown plus there's a familiar name for Rhinos fans, Michelle Magee.
Melbourne Vixens player Gabby Coffey and former Mavericks player Aliyah Zaranyika combine in a new defence in front of England international goal keeper Brown, plus Gabby Sinclair moves across from Dragons to assist the attacking line.
2025 Squad: Ruth Hughes (Severn Stars), Gabriella Marshall (Severn Stars), Michelle Magee (Leeds Rhinos), Jasmine Brown (Severn Stars), Aliyah Zaranyika (Saracens Mavericks), Betsy Creak (Severn Stars), Sigi Burger (Severn Stars), Jessica Shaw (Severn Stars), Gabrielle Sinclair (New Signing), Gabrielle Coffey (New Signing)
Birmingham's opening game as a Netball Super League side sees them take on the Rhinos as fans get a first look at the new franchise, before they head to Manchester in round two. The Rhinos make the return trip south in round eight on Sunday 4th May as teams enter the second half of the season.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Friday 14th March - Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield - FCP 7pm
Buy tickets now at https://tickets.rhinosnetball....
LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons
LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons are the only Welsh representative in the newly rebranded Netball Super League, and they come into 2025 off the back of their best finish to a campaign since 2019.
Despite some tough results in recent years, last year saw Dragons claim six wins and two draws to finish eighth. As they look to continue their rise up the rankings, new head coach Reinga Bloxham has been tasked with helping the side make the next step, having guided Southern Steel to two ANZ Premierships in her career and coached New Zealand's international sides.
Amongst the players included in their 10-player lineup, Bethan Dyke returns to the club she started at in 2019 before she had spells at Severn Stars and Team Bath, plus Welsh internationals Chelsea Beard and Alex Johnson bolster positions at both ends of the court.
Shooter Georgia Rowe bounced back from one appearance in 2023 to lead the side in 2024 with 430 goals (35 goals on average), whilst defensive players Leah Middleton and Jacqui Newton are part of the seven-player cohort that has been retained.
2025 Squad: Phillipa Yarranton, Georgia Rowe, Jacqui Newton, Leah Middleton, Bethan Dyke (Team Bath), Elle McDonald, Khanyisa Chawane, Chelsea Beard, Alexandra Johnson (Loughborough Lightning), Beth Ecuyer-Dale
The Dragons take on two of the competition's newest franchises in the opening three rounds, starting with London Mavericks in the opening game of the year, before playing Nottingham Forest and Birmingham Panthers. Round six sees the Rhinos travel to Wales, and the two sides meet again in the penultimate game of the year in Sheffield.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Sunday 8th June - Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield - FCP 4pm
Buy tickets now at https://tickets.rhinosnetball....
London Mavericks
Mavericks Netball continues in 2025 under a new name after the club split from Saracens at the conclusion of last season.
The two-time Grand Final winners, led by Director of Netball Tamsin Greenway and new head coach Camilla Buchanan, have brought in new names as they look to break into top four after three fifth place finishes in the last four years.
South African Ine-Mari Venter departs and Australian U21s international Emily Andrew takes her place, joining from Melbourne Vixens in a highly anticipated move. Chelsea Blackman also arrives from Australia to bolster a defence that has retained Razia Quashie and Vicki Oyesola.
Amelia Hall departed the Rhinos after her third season at the club. She made 48 appearances in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and scored 49 goals last year before moving to Mavericks as one of five new signings.
2025 Squad: Razia Quashie, Vicki Oyesola, Izzi Phillips (London Pulse), Ellie Rattu, Suzie Liverseidge (Severn Stars), Kira Rothwell, Emma Thacker, Amelia Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Andrew (New Signing), Chelsea Blackman (New signing)
The 2025 season opens with Mavericks playing LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons on the road, but they host NIC Leeds Rhinos in round two on Sunday 23rd March. Rhinos fans can see them in action on Sunday 18th May too when the two sides meet in Sheffield in May.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Sunday 18th May - Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield - FCP 4pm
Buy tickets now at https://tickets.rhinosnetball....
London Pulse
Now in her sixth season as head coach of London Pulse, CEO and Director of Netball Sam Bird had another top season in 2024 as she's guided the team to become a staple team in the top four of the Netball Super League table.
The franchise has continued to grow and develop since joining the league in 2019, particularly reaching the semi finals in each of the last three years. 2023 was a highlight as they won 17 out of 20 games enroute to the Grand Final and last year, they came close to back to back Final appearances, only to lose out to eventual Champions Loughborough Lightning after another strong campaign.
Goal shooter Assaindey Olivia Tchine has ranked in the top three shooters in the competition having made her Pulse debut in 2019 and will hope to battle at the top of the rankings again in 2025. Complementing the firepower upfront, goal keeper Funmi Fadoju dominated the defensive side of the court last year, finishing with the most interceptions, gains and deflections in the Super League competition.
The Pulse squad is largely unchanged for the upcoming season; Sophie Kelly from Team Bath and Tyler Orr from the 2024 Super Netball Champions Adelaide Firebirds are the only new arrivals. Highly-rated teenage talent Gracie Smith has also committed to the side and is predicted go far by the Pulse hierarchy.
2025 Squad: Halimat Adio, Darcie Everitt, Funmi Fadoju, Sophie Kelly (Team Bath), Alicia Scholes, Nichole Breedt, Olivia Tchine, Zara Everitt, Tyler Orr (New signing), Gracie Smith (New signing)
A blockbuster start for Pulse pits them against Nottingham Forest in a new test in round one, before a trip to Loughborough sees the sides meet for the first time since last year's semi final. Round four awaits a trip to Sheffield to face Leeds, before the sides meet again in round twelve.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Friday 4th April - Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield - FCP 7pm
Buy tickets now at https://tickets.rhinosnetball....
Loughborough Lightning
Very little has changed at the home of back-to-back Netball Super League champions Loughborough Lightning, who overcame Manchester Thunder's challenge for the Grand Final title in a 70-54 victory.
Lightning are one of the competition's founding clubs that remains after this year's rebrand. Headed up by Vic Burgess, they are early frontrunners to be back competing for their fourth NSL title in June 2025.
Looking to become the first side in the competition's history to win three Championships in a row, Burgess retains six players from the 2024 squad. England internationals Alice Harvey, Beth Cobden, Nat Panagarry, Berri Neil and Hannah Joseph are joined by fellow international Jodie Gibson, who signs from Mavericks, and one of the side's key captures is Shadine Van Der Merwe, who moves from Thunder where she made the second most intercepts in the competition last year (30).
Trinidadian Netball star Samantha Wallace-Joseph leaves the New South Wales Swifts behind to fill the shoes left by Mary Cholhok, who finished the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the most goals by a NSL player.
2025 Squad: Alice Harvey, Berri Neil (New Signing), Beth Cobden, Bella Baylis, Ella Clark, Hannah Joseph, Jodie Gibson (Saracens Mavericks), Natalie Panagarry, Samantha Wallace-Joseph (New Signing), Shadine Van Der Merwe (Manchester Thunder)
Round one of this year's competition sees Lightning get their title defence get underway against Manchester at the AO Arena, before they host London Pulse in another intriguing fixture in round two. March is complete with a trip to the first direct Arena to take on the Rhinos, before Leeds appear at the Sir David Wallace Arena in round nine.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Friday 30th March - first direct Arena - FCP 4pm
Buy tickets now at https://www.axs.com/uk/series/...
Manchester Thunder
Much like Loughborough, last year's NSL Finalists Manchester Thunder have opted for player retention as nine players return to try to clinch title number five for the franchise in 2025.
Head coach Karen Greig makes the step to be Thunder's Franchise Director and Head Coach after 18 years at the club, and is part of a wider leadership group that is headed up by England star Natalie Metcalf on the court. Metcalf and Amy Carter were the only Manchester representatives in last year's England squad that faced Australia and New Zealand.
South African Elmere van der Berg marked her first year heading up Thunder's attack with 570 points and is joined by fellow international Nicola Smith from Loughborough this year. Josie Huckle had a strong season in the side's defence, whilst Paige Reed was another key attack threat with 358 goals in her debut year.
2025 Squad: Taylor McKevitt, Josie Huckle, Elmere van der Berg, Amy Carter, Elia McCormick, Natalie Metcalf, Lois Pearson, Nicola Smith (Loughborough Lightning), Paige Reed, Emma Rayner
The side host Lighting in their first game of the NSL season, before getting the chance to face one of the competition's newest names, Birmingham Panthers. Rhinos fans need to highlight 12th April as the first 'Battle of the Roses' matchup at the Belle Vue Arena, as well as 25th May when Manchester and Leeds go head to head at the first direct Arena.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Friday 25th May - first direct Arena - FCP 4pm
Buy tickets now at https://www.axs.com/uk/series/...
Nottingham Forest Netball
The final franchise is another new one as Nottingham Forest make the step into the Netball Super League landscape for 2025.
Despite being one of the new kids on the block, there is plenty of familiarity amongst the club's coaches and players. Chelsea Pitman turns from player to coach as the Olympic silver medallist brings her international experience and club knowledge to Forest, after spending time at Australian clubs West Coast Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds, GIANTS and NSL sides Manchester and London Pulse during her career.
Rhinos fans will also recognise Rhea Dixon and Brie Grierson, who were both part of the franchise's first team back in 2021. They join the likes of Jayda Pechova, who was one of Team Bath's stars last year, Severn Stars' Niamh Cooper and Strathclyde duo Hannah Leighton and Iona Christian in joining a team with plenty of talent.
Standout defensive player Faridah Kadoni and upcoming South African Rolene Streutker complete the squad as the only external signings outside the NSL.
2025 Squad: Faridah Kadondi (New signing), Iona Christian (Strathclyde Sirens), Niamh Cooper (Severn Stars), Rhea Dixon (Loughborough Lightning), Freya Henshall (Loughborough Lightning), Hannah Leighton (Strathclyde Sirens), Natasha Pavelin (Team Bath), Jayda Pechova (Team Bath), Rolene Streutker (New signing), Brie Grierson (London Pulse)
The franchise make their Netball Super League debut in round one when they travel to the Copperbox to face London Pulse. Rhinos fans have to wait until the halfway mark of the season to get their first look at Forest at the Canon Medical Arena on 25th April, before traveling to Motorpoint Arena for the away visit in the final round of the season.
When can I watch them take on the Rhinos?
Friday 25th April - Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield - FCP 7pm
Buy tickets now at https://tickets.rhinosnetball....
Get behind the Rhinos in 2025!
In 2025 NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball will be heading to Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield and the first direct Arena in Leeds for some huge games this season. Find out how you can be there:
Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield
Fans can buy tickets now for these fixtures at tickets.rhinosnetball.co.uk and over the phone on 0371 423 1315.
Individual tickets for the fixtures at the Canon Medical Arena will be for reserved seating and will be priced as follows.
- Adults (aged 17 and over) - £20
- Juniors (aged 16 & under) - £12
Plus fans can purchase three, four or five game packs for games at Sheffield, starting at £28.80.
Click here for more information.
first direct Arena, Leeds
Tickets for the Rhinos' two games at the first direct Arena in Leeds are available to buy through first direct's official ticket supplier AXS. Go to https://www.axs.com/uk/series/... to buy your tickets now.
Tickets for reserved seating at the first direct Arena games priced as below. Accessible tickets can be booked directly through First Direct Arena at the time of booking.
Click here for more information.
VIP - £65.00 (Seats in Block 105). Includes access to Black & White Lounge and complimentary drink on arrival.
Category 1 - Adult - £26.00 (Seats in Block 103, 104, 106, 107)
Category 1 - Juniors - £20.00 (Seats in Block 103, 104, 106, 107)
Category 2 - Adults - £22.00 (Seats in Block 101, 102, 108, 109)
Category 2 - Juniors - £15.00 (Seats in Block 101, 102, 108, 109)
Category 3 - Adults - £15.00 (Seats in Block 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218)
Category 3 - Juniors - £9.00 (Seats in Block 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218)
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