Wednesday 19 October 2016 10:00, UK
Severn Stars have completed their line-up for the debut Vitality Superleague season with three new home-grown recruits and two international arrivals.
Trinidad and Tobago shooter Afeisha Noel and Australian defender Josie Janz-Dawson are the first overseas players to sign up for the Stars with the 10 other names a combination of talented youngsters.
Our squad is complete. The blend of youth and experience both in ages and court experience really makes this a team to look out for.
Noel impressed during the 2015 World Cup while Janz-Dawson arrives after eight seasons in the ANZ Championship with West Coast Fever.
"I am really excited about coming over to play for the Severn Stars and work with my new team-mates," said Janz-Dawson.
"I think we will have the ability to blend a few playing styles together and I'm really looking forward to learning more from Mo'onia Gerrard.
"Looking at the pre-season training program I know Mon will be pushing us to train at a high intensity and I'm really looking forward to the challenge and setting the standard for what we can achieve together in 2017."
They are joined in the final announcement of signings by Superleague debutant and England U21 international Iona Darroch, former Yorkshire Jets mid-courter Lucy Richardson and defender Rachel Sweet who last year played for Loughborough Lightning in completing the lineup.
"I'm really excited to be playing for Severn Stars this year and representing my home county through this new franchise," said Sweet.
"It promises to be a really exciting season for Severn Stars with a great coaching team around us.
"Everyone is extremely motivated and I can't wait to be part of what is set to be a great start to an amazing journey for the franchise."
Having appointed former England star Pamela Cookey as director of Netball and former Aussie Diamonds ace Mo'onia Gerrard as head coach the Stars have been busy finalising plans for the new Superleague season.
As one of three new franchises, starting from scratch has seen the team competing to fill a roster of 12 players and Gerrard is delighted to have finalised plans.
"We have secured some great experienced players for the Severn Stars roster for 2017. They have the right attitude to build this club in the right direction," said Gerrard.
"Josie Janz, having played for West Coast Fever in the ANZ championship for 8 plus years, will help strengthen the Stars team on and off the court. Followed by Afeisha Noel who was very strong in her World Cup campaign for Trinidad &Tobago in 2015.
"Lucy Richardson is a fierce competitor and her positive attitude is infectious. Iona Darroch is an up-and-coming England 21s prospect and has some great skills and is one to watch in the future.
"Rachel Sweet being a Worcester local has earned her spot by her sheer determination and experience as a leader for the Worcester Reds which will help steer the Stars in the right direction as a player and the club."
The announcement of the final five players also underlines the commitment to youth championed by the Stars franchise, a joint project between the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Worcester.
The set up at Stars is so exciting and I am over the moon to be involved in one of the new franchises.
Severn Stars 2017 Superleague squad - Lauren Brookes, Eleanor Cardwell, Sophie Carter, Iona Darroch, Jodie Gibson, Josie Janz-Dawson, Laura Malcolm, Afeisha Noel, Becky Oatley, Lucy Richardson, Rachel Sweet, Rebecca Tildsley
