Vitality Rose Nat Panagarry has extended her stay with Loughborough Lightning by committing for the 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague season.
Lightning captain Panagarry returns to Loughborough for a fifth consecutive season after helping the Vitality Roses secure a bronze medal at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool this summer.
Having led Lightning to two consecutive Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Finals in 2017 and 2018, Panagarry is no stranger to success and will use her experience to help a young side for what is set to be another competitive campaign.
Panagarry said: “I love the franchise and the team and I’m so thankful for all the opportunities that the club has given me since I’ve been here. Loughborough feels like home now.
“We’ve been in top four now for the last three years and that will always be the goal for the coming season. We are now more consistent as a side and will be looking to push those top teams at the right end of the league.
The wing defence saw the impact netball had in Liverpool this summer and was subject to sell-out crowds at the M&S Bank Arena. The 28-year-old hopes that enthusiasm from fans will transfer to the VNSL.
“Hopefully after the Vitality Netball World Cup there will be more sell-out crowds as the more people we can get coming and supporting us the stronger we feel out on court,” said Panagarry.
“Hearing and seeing all our fans there week in week out mean the world to us and they’re the ones that can help get us over the finish line.”
Panagarry was named in the VNSL 2019 All Star VII last season and was nominated for Vitality Player of the Year and the Fans’ Player of the Year.
Lightning head coach Sara Bayman could rely on her captain to produce stellar performances last term and she again realises her captain’s importance within the side.
“It’s great to have Nat back for another year. After playing in the Vitality Netball World Cup with the Vitality Roses, I’m excited to get her knowledge, energy and leadership back into this group,” said Bayman.
“It’s really important that we have a stable core of players and Nat is an integral part of that.”
Panagarry joins Sam May and international teammate Ella Clark as the third Lightning player to sign for the new season.
You can catch Loughborough Lightning in action for the first time at the Season Opener event on Saturday 22nd February 2020 when they face Team Bath.
To stay up to date with the Vitality Netball Superleague, including player movements, tickets and the latest news make sure you’re following @NetballSL on Twitter and sign up for the VNSL Newsletter.
