Former Wasps director of netball also picks out her three star signings of the Superleague transfer frenzy
Friday 1 November 2019 16:18, UK
It has been a busy time in the Vitality Superleague and Suncorp Netball, big names have come in and established England stars have headed out; as Tamsin Greenway points out, it is proof of the growth in the game but also the tough battle players and administrators face.
It's been such an exciting time, in Australia and in the UK, but I have always been quite vocal that as a league we are still playing catch-up as they went from amateur to pro-game in 2008/09.
At the moment we can't match the Suncorp in terms of professionalism, pay and the life that they can give netballers so in that respect they will always get the pick of the crop.
And for the players the opportunity is fantastic, I would never stop any player from taking the opportunity to go and play in Australia - like Nat Haythornthwaite, you pat them on the shoulder and say good luck and then watch them grow.
As an ex-England player and a netball fan, I love to see our league succeeding but we still have work to do and that because the money in the sport, and women's sport is not there yet.
Greenway welcomes Surrey Storm's Sharni Layton coup
Now is the right time for us with a World Cup coming up and a Commonwealth Games gold medal but it's two-pronged.
As it stands most of England starting line-up is playing overseas and for Tracey Neville that is perfect, her players are playing week in, week out against the best players in the world and now Peace Proscovia is going to play there with Poteigzer and Mostert from South Africa.
But for coaches and teams over here, it can be frustrating, it gives younger players a great opportunity but if we want to get the players back - like we have with Serena - there needs to be a major injection into the league.
The salary cap difference between the two leagues is huge and maybe it's a case of looking at whether we try and go head to head or more realistically make it a different time of year because the reality is players are now making a life for themselves in Australia and New Zealand.
Until all the nations start working together and league possibly run in conjunction it is going to be difficult to play catch-up.
Let's not lose sight of the fact we still have 150 incredible athletes playing every week on squads here and the talent coming through is fantastic - look at Beth Cobden, Helen Housby and where they are now playing.
We have got a brilliant product here that TV, media and sponsors can all push and that is really changing but if we are judging on the star names we seem to be losing them at the moment.
That gives us a chance to develop more stars. to build them up and eventually have the product here that makes players want to stay - and we have to keep telling that story, we have to keep talking about it so that the investment does come and we can make our league the best that it can possibly be.
Cat Tuivati, Sirens,
It's such a massive signing for Sirens, it's their third season in the league and she is their third shooter. She has been playing the Suncorp but it coming back from an ACL injury.
She is an incredible shooter, a former Silver Ferns player and a massive character as well so she is going a big influence on and off the court.
Serena Guthrie, Giants
Everyone wanted Serena when she announced that she was coming back but she played at Bath before she left for a hugely successful spell overseas.
She is such a talented player and maybe alongside Laura Langman, now that she is back, one of the best centres in the world and we are very lucky to have her back here - she will relish being back home.
Kadeen Corbin, Mavericks
I picked out two massive signings from overseas which is great for the game but Kadeen moving from Bath to Mavericks was a bit of strange move for me because nobody saw it coming.
She has been playing for Bath for the last couple of years but has gone back to Mavericks and will play with her sister Sasha which will be a partnership and that might be in the back of minds in World Cup year.
Kadeen is full of flair and movement in the circle and has such a good relationship with her sister, they'll be hoping to work on that and push themselves for World Cup selection.
