Severn Stars will start their 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague campaign at the Season Opener weekend on February 5 and 6; all 10 matches will be live on Sky Sports and streamed on the Sky Sports YouTube channel
Wednesday 22 December 2021 15:58, UK
Claire Sanders has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Vitality Netball Superleague franchise Severn Stars.
Sanders, who is currently assistant coach to the U21s, brings extensive experience within Stars' high-performance talent pathway and the junior coaching sphere.
Following the founding of Severn Stars as a franchise, Sanders was quickly enlisted to join its high-performance talent pathway and has contributed to team management, as well as coaching for the U15s, U17s and one of the team's Nova Academies.
Sanders also has a first-class honours degree in sports coaching and physical education, as well as being a netballer, umpire and coach herself. She's currently head coach of Worcester Netball Club U19s and is studying for her Level 3 Netball Coach award.
"As a local netballer, I am passionate about supporting netball in our region and having a Superleague franchise is a massive benefit to grassroots sport in Worcester, Gloucester and all our franchise counties," Sanders said.
"I am excited by our Vitality Netball Superleague squad this season and looking forward to working with Melissa [Bessell], the management team and players.
"Our pathway is strong and is fortunate to have a great team of coaches, who I am also looking forward to supporting.
"I am also excited about enhancing our community programme, which has been curtailed somewhat by COVID-19, and getting Stars back out engaging with our fans."
The 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague season will commence with its traditional Season Opener weekend on February 5 and 6.
At Birmingham's Resorts World Arena, Severn Stars will open their campaign against Surrey Storm on the Saturday evening, before taking on Manchester Thunder the day after.
Head coach Bessell, who is fiercely ambitious, has recruited an impressive squad for the forthcoming season. Liana Leota, the England Roses technical coach, and Cat Tuivaiti will both take to court in 2022.
Michelle Drayne has moved to Stars from London Pulse, Katie Harris has arrived Wasps and Summer Artman has joined from Team Bath Netball.
"I can't wait to get started," Bessell said earlier in the off-season. "I know that the team I have pulled together is not just exciting, but has calibre, spirit and experience.
"I am bringing together so much contrasting talent, which means I can choose incredible and show-stopping talent while changing the whole dynamics of the game. For me, that's really exhilarating.
"Every athlete that's playing for Stars this year, I made sure was there for a purpose and to really make us a great team."
Tuivaiti, who previously played for Strathclyde Sirens in the Superleague and for top sides in New Zealand and Australia, will bring so much energy and flair to Stars, and she's looking forward to the season.
"Being able to take the court again in the Superleague, this time as a mum, is terrifying and exciting," Tuivaiti said. "I've always loved a challenge and this will be my biggest one so far."
Every contest of the 10-game opening weekend in February will be shown live on Sky Sports and streamed on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
The broadcast details for the rest of the 2022 season, featuring traditional home and away matches and fans back in venues, will be announced closer to the start of the campaign.
