Natalie Haythornthwaite to leave Wasps as Tamsin Moala and Katie Harris join champions
Wednesday 30 October 2019 16:01, UK
Wasps have confirmed the signings of Tamsin Moala and Katie Harris on the same day as Natalie Haythornthwaite left the champions to join NSW Swifts for 2019.
The back-to-back champions have been the busiest of all the Superleague clubs and on Monday took their roster up to nine with the captures of attacking pair Moala and Harris from Team Northumbria and Surrey Storm respectively.
News of the double signing came just a few hours after a big-name exit was confirmed with Haythornthwaite heading for Australia on a permanent basis. Having spent the last few games of last season with the Swifts, the goal attack is headed down for the whole of the 2019 season to link up with the Suncorp Super Netball franchise.
In the final rounds we were able to look at Nat, she jumped on a plane from England and was thrown into the Swifts environment only a few days after winning the Premier with the Wasps and she did it so effortlessly.<p>Her attack shows real precision and experience so it's great to have that in the mix with the rest of the team. They can learn a lot from her and vice versa.
Unsurprisingly, Wasps have wasted no time in strengthening their attacking options with Moala arriving from Northumbria after the North East franchise withdrew from the league.
The 25-year-old, who was born in York but grew up and played her netball in New Zealand, ranked fourth in offensive rebounds across the league last season, registering 18 in 18 games. After two years with Northumbria, she moves to Wasps and is relishing the opportunity.
"This is an excellent opportunity for me. When you move to a new team you get new input, new ideas. It's a challenge but I'm ready to step up," said Moala.
"I loved my time at Team Northumbria but it was time for a change. Wasps are a very successful team with a great culture which is reflected on the court.
Harris makes the familiar move from Storm to Wasps, joining former Surrey team-mates Sophia Candappa, Rachel Dunn, Amy Flanagan, Josie Huckle and Hannah Knights in playing their netball at the Ricoh Arena.
Harris has spent her senior netball career to date with Storm and scored 275 goals last season.
The goal attack, who is a full-time paramedic, has spent her senior netball career to date with Storm and scored 275 goals last season
"I felt very privileged to be approached to join Wasps," she said.
"There is a great coaching set-up here and I'm excited to get started. I spent eight years at Storm and made lifelong friends. I believe it's important to play with different players to develop yourself.
"I know a lot of the girls from my time at Storm and working with Mel will be great for me, as she is a shooting specialist.
"The team is full of unselfish players who will work tirelessly for each other and I'm looking forward to being part of that."
Head coach Mel Mansfield is pleased with how her Superleague squad is taking shape: "Tamsin has impressed me for two years at BUCS and Superleague. She is a smart shooter who can be used across both shooter positions.
"She has a great attitude and I am keen to see what she can bring to the team.
"I coached Katie several years ago at Storm so it will be fantastic to work with her again. She has incredible accuracy and adding her into the shooting circle is going to give opposition something to think about.
"I am looking forward to giving both of these talented players new opportunities as they provide something fresh and exciting to our attacking line up."
Guthrie is in action with England live on Sky Sports for the upcoming Quad Series against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. You can follow all the action on Sky Sports Mix from the early hours of September 15.
Stick with us through the off-season as we reflect on the campaign, track the England internationals and the latest player movements ahead of a huge 2019 which will feature another thrilling Superleague season and the Netball World Cup.
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