Coulburne pens Storm deal

Coulburne: Signed with Storm

I've been watching Superleague and Storm on Sky and it's great to be back part of the league and joining the team at the top of the table.

Janet Coulburne
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Surrey Storm have strengthened their defence with the signing of ex-England and Jamaican international Janet Coulburne.

Coulburne, originally from Portland in Jamaica, has lived in London for the past nine years and represented England in the 2003 World Championships.

The 36-year-old, who featured in two Co-operative Superleague finals for former side Mavericks, will be reunited with some familiar faces at Storm.

Coulburne played alongside recent Storm signing Natalie Seaton at the Hertfordshire side, and also with England shooter Rachel Dunn.

The defender has not competed in the Superleague since 2007, but is keen to return to action with the current league leaders.

Excited

"I'm really excited about joining Surrey Storm," said Coulburne.

"I've been watching Superleague and Storm on Sky and it's great to be back part of the league and joining the team at the top of the table."

Storm head coach Mary Beardwood, who worked with Coulburne at Middlesex County where they became inter-county champions, believes the defender will bring a wealth of knowledge to the team.

"Janet brings so much experience and quality and we are thrilled she has joined us during the transfer window," said Beardwood.

"We already have such great strength and depth defensively and now that has been strengthened even further."

Franchise director Jason Harborow expects Coulburne to help plug the gap left in the team by the departure of England internationals Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma.

"Much talk has been about how our defensive end would struggle when Geva and Sonia left to go to the ANZ but we always knew that not only do we have great defensive players in our squad such as Hannah Reid and Jaime Galley but Mary, the team and the Storm could sign furthers players of calibre and quality," said Harborow.

"We welcome Janet to the squad with enthusiasm and I can't wait for the rest of the season."