The Netball Super League season gets underway this Saturday and Gloucestershire’s entry into this league is of course the Severn Stars. They come into this season with a revolutionised squad, a new head coach and, hopefully for fans, some great performances.
Season Opener, a tough match
They tip-off the season against Manchester Thunder who had a strong season last year, finishing third in the main league. The Stars on the other hand finished eighth, however, it was their first season in the league. They will look to improve this time round and the mood in the camp is very positive heading into the first game.
Head coach Samantha Bird, who took over the role from Mo’oina Gerrard before the start of pre-season, has assembled a diverse squad for their second season in the super league. There is a good mixture of young talent and international experience in the squad this time. There are two current England internationals in there with Iona Darroch getting close to breaking through as she plays for the youth teams. Laura Malcolm is also an ex-England international and will captain the side again this season, having been given the role last year in the clubs’ first campaign.
Stars key players
If the Severn Stars are to improve on their finishing spot from last year they will need one of these internationals, Eleanor Cardwell, to be playing at her best.
The Goal Shooter was the Stars’ main point threat last season and will look to continue that this time round. Her international experience and quality will be important if her team is to improve on last year’s position. Like teammate Jodie Gibson, Cardwell has only recently returned from duty with England but shouldn’t have many problems being ready with her teammates before Saturday. She will however have a bit more competition for her position this season with two South African players coming into the squad. Both Phumza Maweni and Maryka Holthausen can play in Cardwell’s position and will provide that much needed goal-getting support.
Amongst all this wealth of international talent comes an arrangement of young talent through the youth team which have mostly been sourced locally. A good example of this is Shona O’Dwyer who will be looking to make an impact in her first season in the league. The rest of the players have been brought in from other clubs to provide experience and depth in the right areas. It will certainly be a very competitive squad.
It’s a tough opening game for the Stars but with the squad that Bird has created, it is clear to see that there are lofty ambitions for the club for the foreseeable future.
