Netball: Team Bath sign import Bessie Manu for 2015 Superleague season
Friday 12 December 2014 08:37, UK
Team Bath have signed the first overseas player in their history as part of an innovative reciprocal partnership with New Zealand’s Kia Waikato Bay of Plenty 'Magic' franchise.
Elizabeth “Bessie” Manu will play for the team in 2015 alongside a coaching role at a top local school, Kingswood.
Manu, who arrived in Bath this week, could have an early taste of Superleague opposition when Team Bath play a tri-tournament against Surrey Storm and Hertfordshire Mavericks on November 29.
The former New Zealand U21 defender is renowned for her reading of the game and for her anticipation. She can play in the circle or at wing-defence.
She comes to Team Bath from Kia Magic where she has been training and playing alongside the top Silver Ferns defensive duo.
Manu said: “I am very excited about being in Bath and playing in the Superleague. Team Bath is one of the most successful sides and it will be interesting to bring my experience of the ANZ which is the premier league for all Australian and New Zealand players as well as developing my game and my coaching skills whilst here”.
Team Bath coach Jess Thirlby commented: “At Team Bath we like to push the boundaries and seek constant improvement. I believe that Manu will bring a wealth of knowledge with her and we will help support her development, too”.
2015 Team
Team Bath’s 2015 Superleague line-up was unveiled during a photo-shoot on the roof of the city’s Thermae Bath Spa on Wednesday.
Thirlby announced her new-look multi-national line-up, backed by local firm Carter Jonas, that includes the welcome return of defender Sam Cook from long-term injury and Asha Francis in attack after the birth of her first child.
“The Superleague has really stepped on and every franchise is searching for its trump card this season”, said Thirlby. “It’s great to have Asha back with her experience and leadership. She will be a wonderful conduit between the younger but very exciting talents in the squad and the more experienced players”.
Kyra Jones, of Wales, and Scotland’s captain Claire Brownie have also burst into the squad after recent trials. Jones impressed spectators as part of Celtic Dragons’ 2013 and 2014 line-ups.
Cook will team up with Team Bath’s England stalwart Stacey Francis as well as Antipodean signing Bessie Manu along with Brownie and Jenna Murie.
Thirlby is pleased at the mix of styles that she can rely on in mid-court. “Mia Ritchie will be able to capitalise on all her learnings from Serena Guthrie over the past two seasons and we have top, young talents in Yas Parsons and Jazz Scott as well as Kyra and Scarlett Williams”, she said.
“That gives us a well-balanced mid-court with new faces and an emerging style”, she added.
In attack, Thirlby has the opportunity, subject to final selection, of playing former King Edwards’ School pupil and England international Rosie Allison as a tall holding shooter but has other options to choose from as she makes her final selections.
It is in the shooting circle that the final cut will come; 16 players have been announced today but, when the league deadline looms on Monday 15 December, Thirlby will have to bring that down to 15. Medical guidance could form part of that decision.
That means an agonising wait for Rosie Allison, Rachel Shaw, Shaunagh Craig, Lauren Dent, Ellie Gibbons and, potentially, Asha Francis.
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