NIC Leeds Rhinos NXT Gen squad ready to begin 2026 campaign

17 players have been announced for the NIC Leeds Rhinos NXT Gen squad in 2026. The NXT Gen NIC Rhinos hope to push for another successful season in 2026, finishing 3^rd in the league in 2025, winning an impressive 11 out of 16 matches. 

The squad begin their 2026 season this weekend (Saturday 24th January) as they take on 2025 NXT Gen champions Loughborough Lightning away at Loughborough University Netball and Badminton Centre,  LE11 3TS for an 11am FCP.

The NXT Gen squad sits within the NIC Rhinos’ player pathway system, offering a competitive environment for developing athletes as they transition toward the elite level of the Netball Super League (NSL).

Each athlete will receive full support from the NIC Rhinos’ high-performance staff and coaching team, gaining access to elite training and mentorship as part of their progression through the Rhinos pathway. By investing in young players and developing homegrown talent, NIC Leeds Rhinos continue to strengthen their foundations and secure a bright future for the club.

The initial 2026 NIC Leeds Rhinos NXT Gen Squad is as follows:

Defence

• Abi Conway – WD/GD
• George Ford – GK/GD
• Gemma Lant – GK/GD
• Neve Mortimer – GD/GK
• Sasha Howard – GD/GK

Midcourt

• Daisy Lees – WA/C
• Erin Hodgkiss – C/WD
• Grace Waller – WD/C
• Maia Bausor – C/WD
• Rachel Towell – WA/C
• Rose Bridson – WA/C
• Sophie Kimpton – GA/WA

Shooters

• Grace Ross – GA/GS
• Niamh Trainer – GS/GA
• Olivia Leslie – GA/GS
• Orlaith Rogers – GS/GA
• Summer Anderson – GA/GS

Among the names to watch are Georgina Ford and Sasha Howard, both of whom have had standout seasons with Ford making her NSL debut in the Netball Super Cup in 2025. Howard picked up NXT Gen players’ player of the season at the 2025 NIC Rhinos awards night.

The squad will once again be led by NXT Gen Head Coach and pathways manager Francine Hall who plays a pivotal role in shaping the club’s pathway development structure and ensuring a strong connection between the NXT Gen and NSL environments.

Joining Francine are Assistant Coach Chloe Smith and Team Manager, Declan Kohl who will work closely with the NXT Gen squad to deliver a high-quality development environment. Together, the coaching team will provide tailored guidance as they progress through the club’s pathway, maintaining strong alignment between the NXT Gen and NSL programmes.

NXT Gen Head Coach and pathways manager Francine Hall said: 

"Looking ahead to another season in the NXT Gen League with this group of athletes is incredibly exciting. The core of the squad remains largely unchanged from the 2024–25 season, and we are thrilled to welcome several new players to the franchise, as well as promote a number of recent graduates from our U19s NPL programme. With this mix of experience and emerging talent, the group is eager to take to the court when the league tips off this weekend.

"The league was exceptionally strong last season, and we expect the standard to rise again. We’re prepared to carry that work ethic into Round 1 and see how we measure up against last year’s champions, Loughborough Lightning."

Throughout the season, players will have the opportunity to integrate with the senior NSL team in training, gaining first-hand experience of the professional environment and standards.

Standout performers from the NXT Gen programme may also be considered for Temporary Replacement Player (TRP) in instances where one of the ten Registered NSL players are not available for selection due to Short Term Circumstances.  

NXT Gen Fixtures are as follows: