Four of the World Netball’s elite are set for the Vitality Netball Nations Cup slated for the famed OVO Arena Wembley in London, and thereafter at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, during the weekends of 20-21 and 27-28 January, 2024.
The incredible showcase of netball will feature hosts, England, following their victorious series against South Africa in December, and their historic result at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, where they reached their first final, but lost at the final hurdle to a dominant Australia.
“Following an historic summer where the Roses were once again catapulted into the nation’s hearts, we’re excited to host a Vitality Netball Nations Cup where our fans will have the privilege of watching some of the world’s very best netballers, and of course have the opportunity to get behind the Vitality Roses.”
Fran Connolly, England Netball Chief Executive Officer
World Champions Australia and New Zealand – who top the world rankings – will also feature in the tournament, and the final spot is taken by African powerhouse, Uganda, which recorded their highest-ever finish at Africa’s first World Cup, with fifth place after Jamaica.
The first two days of competition will go to OVO Arena in Wembley, London, for the first time since 2017, and the games then proceed to the First Direct Arena, marking the first time that international netball will be hosted in the city of Leeds.
Connolly added, “The two venues in London and Leeds will offer the perfect backdrop for this incredible showcase of highly anticipated matches, and demonstrates the growing support and interest in our sport in this country. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Australia, New Zealand and Uganda for this fiercely contested Series, which will get the 2024 netball calendar off to a fantastic start.”
England Vitality Roses
Roses head coach Jess Thirlby has selected 14 players including NWC2023 silver medallists Helen Housby and Natalie Metcalf, after they took extended breaks. The formidable squad also features eleven players who formed the squad that recently defeated South Africa 2-1, in a thrilling series early December.
“As we know, Australia and New Zealand are the two world-leading netball nations and we have enjoyed some great contests with them over the past year, particularly at the World Cup on route to our first-ever World cup final.”
Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby
“Uganda continue to improve showing what they are capable of when taking the scalp of South Africa at the recent World Cup. We experienced first-hand the challenge they can pose last year in our Autumn international series and welcome all three nations to our shores and to iconic venues like Wembley Arena,” said Thirlby.
“All three present different challenges and this will be a great opportunity for us to come up against varying styles during what we hope will be a thrilling series for our fans.”
Uganda She Cranes
The Uganda team selected by coach Fred Mugerwa will be captained by Irene Eyaru, it features some big names while they will also be missing some of their star players.
The experience of star-shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok will be extremely valuable as she plays for England’s Loughborough in the Netball Super League.
New Surrey Storm star Haniisha Muhameed will get a taste of playing in front of the English crowd with her debut in the Super League looming.
Stella Ovella is out, she is nursing an ACL injury while veteran Proscovia Peace travels with the squad as an assistant coach.
“We always want to win and have a better performance. But my target will be to upset at least two nations in this tournament,” Mugerwa said.
“Uganda has a lot of talent and I am always confident that these girls can do something if at all they believe in themselves. We need to show the world that there is netball in Uganda,” he added.
Uganda are set to face Welsh Feathers before embarking on a trip to England for the Nations Cup.
Australian Diamonds
Fresh from a successful showing against New Zealand and South Africa, goal shooters Sophie Dwyer and Donnell Wallam are back in the Diamonds squad. Dwyer and Donnell will have to battle for court time with coach Stacey Marinkovich opting for 5 shooters in the 13 player team she named.
Marinkovich is eager to once again test her chosen 13 against some of the best in the world. “It’s a great challenge to be able to not only test ourselves against these styles of play but to do so in front of a loud England crowd.
“We will continue to explore the depth and capability of our squad as we look to drive performance with a vision to the future.”
New Zealand Silver Ferns
Eleven players were announced with some surprises leaving many with questions about the direction of the side. Phoenix Karaka will captain the side alongside Kate Heffernan and Grace Nweke as her vice-captains. The big story that came with the announcement is the return of Michaela Sokolich-Beatson after five years since her last appearance in the black dress. Beatson replaces Jane Watson who is taking a pre-planned break. As well as Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua spoke on the surprise inclusion: “Michaela will bring another level of leadership to our group, and I’m delighted with how she has been playing following what has been a tough road back from injury. She put her hand up in trials and it will be exciting to have her back in the Silver Ferns.”
A prospective debutant, Amorangi Malesala joins the shooting group. While on the other hand, Elisapeta Toeava, Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuatau have been omitted from the squad after they failed to pass fitness targets.
Vitality Netball Nations Cup Fixtures (All times CAT)
Sat 20 Jan, 17h00: Australia vs. New Zealand (OVO Arena Wembley)
Sat 20 Jan, 19h15: England vs. Uganda (OVO Arena Wembley)
Sun 21 Jan, 16h00: New Zealand vs. Uganda (OVO Arena Wembley)
Sun 21 Jan, 18:15: England vs. Australia (OVO Arena Wembley)
Sat 27 Jan, 17h00: Australia vs. Uganda (First Direct Arena, Leeds)
Sat 27 Jan, 19h15: England vs. New Zealand (First Direct Arena, Leeds)
Sun 28 Jan, 16:00: Third-place play-off (First Direct Arena, Leeds)
Sun 28 Jan, 18:15: Final (First Direct Arena, Leeds)
England’s Vitality Roses Squad
Halimat Adio
Imogen Allison
Eleanor Cardwell
Amy Carter
Funmi Fadoju
Sasha Glasgow
Helen Housby
Hannah Joseph
Nat Metcalf
Berri Neil
Jayda Pechova
Razia Quashie
Ellie Rattu
Fran Williams
Uganda’s She Cranes Squad
Lillian Achola
Florence Adunia
Mercy Batamuliza
Haniisha Muhameed Nakaate
Cholhok Mary Nuba
Falidah Kadondi
Sandrah Ruth Nambirige
Christine Nakito
Christine Namulumba Kango
Shadiah Nassanga Ssegujja
Sarah Nakiyunga
Margaret Baagala
Irene Eyaru
Australia’s Origin Diamonds Squad
Sunday Aryang
Kiera Austin
Courtney Bruce
Sophie Dwyer
Sophie Garbin
Paige Hadley
Sarah Klau
Cara Koenen
Kate Moloney
Jamie-Lee Price
Donnell Wallam
Liz Watson
Jo Weston
New Zealand’s Silver Ferns Squad
Amorangi Malesala
Grace Nweke
Amelia Walmsley
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan
Whitney Souness
Karin Burger
Kelly Jury
Phoenix Karaka
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Main Photo Caption: The incredible showcase of netball will feature hosts, England, following their victorious series against South Africa in December, and their historic result at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town. Photo: England Netball on Instagram
Photo 2 Caption: Uganda will be captained by Irene Eyaru, and the selected squad features big names, while they will also be missing some of their star players. The experience of star-shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok will be extremely valuable, as she plays for England’s Loughborough in the Netball Super League. Photo: She Cranes 256 on Instagram
Photo 3 Caption: Fresh from a successful showing against New Zealand and South Africa, goal shooters Sophie Dwyer and Donnell Wallam are back in the Diamonds squad. Photo: Aussie Diamonds on Instagram
Photo 4 Caption: The big story is the return of Michaela Sokolich-Beatson after five years since her last appearance in the black dress. Beatson replaces Jane Watson who is taking a pre-planned break. Photo: Silver Ferns NZ on Instagram
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
