Vitality Roses in action at the Vitality Netball International Series with Uganda

England Netball has confirmed the squads that will compete in the upcoming Vitality Netball International Series with Jamaica.

Head Coach of the Vitality Roses Jess Thirlby has named the squad that will take on Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls in January.

Starting on Wednesday 11 January, the Vitality Roses, who have recently moved up to third in the world rankings, take on Commonwealth Games silver medalists Jamaica in a three-match series. Limited tickets remain for the opener in Manchester – don’t miss out and book now.

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The two sides last met in 2021 when the Vitality Roses came out with a 2-1 victory over three matches – their first series win against the Sunshine Girls since 2013.

Leeds Rhinos’ Elle McDonald has been called up for her first international series after featuring at the FAST5 Netball World Series last month.

Vitality Roses Head Coach, Jess Thirlby commented: “As we move closer to the Netball World Cup, this series against Jamaica gives us the opportunity to continue testing our combinations, build on what we’re doing well and implement some of the learnings from a robust autumn series against both Uganda and Australia, having been back in camp through November.

“This series will be a much welcomed and exciting test for us. Jamaica have a hugely talented squad, combining some familiar faces with some new emerging names who we’ll learn more about over the course of the series.”

As part of the Vitality Netball International Series with Jamaica, a series of curtain raiser games will take place involving England A, led by Kat Ratnapala, and the Future Roses, led by Sheonah Forbes.

England A will take on the Scottish Thistles – a team England have drawn in their pool for the Netball World Cup next year – in Manchester on Wednesday 11 January before the Future Roses play the England Thorns – the England men’s netball team – in London on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January. The England A team will also take on Wales and Jamaica in behind-closed-door training matches on Sunday 8 and Monday 9 January. Nat Panagarry, who is part of the England A squad, will be available for selection for the game with Wales.

Performance Director David Parsons explained: “We have great depth in talent across our national programmes and next month gives us the opportunity to expose more players in our pathway to the conditions of international netball. This will allow us to see more combinations on court, observe the development of our athletes and give our coaching team more time to work with a wider group of players as we continue to build towards the Netball World Cup and beyond.”

Name Club Position
Imogen Allison Team Bath Netball WD, C
Eleanor Cardwell Adelaide Thunderbirds (Australia) GA, GS
Jade Clarke London Pulse C, WD
Sophie Drakeford-Lewis Surrey Storm GA, WA
Funmi Fadoju London Pulse GD, GK, WD
Layla Guscoth Surrey Storm GD, GK
Jo Harten GIANTS Netball (Australia) GS, GA
Alice Harvey* Loughborough Lightning GK, GD
Helen Housby NSW Swifts (Australia) GA, GS
Laura Malcolm Trident Homes Tactix (New Zealand) WD, C, WA
Elle McDonald* Leeds Rhinos C, WA, WD
Geva Mentor Collingwood Magpies (Australia) GK, GD
Natalie Metcalf Manchester Thunder WA, GA
Chelsea Pitman London Pulse WA
Olivia Tchine* London Pulse GS, GA
Francesca Williams Loughborough Lightning GD, GK

*May also be considered for England A fixtures

Loughborough Lightning’s Beth Cobden was unfortunately unavailable for selection due to injury.

Name Club Position
Amy Carter Manchester Thunder C, WD
Zara Everitt London Pulse GD, WD
Hannah Joseph Loughborough Lightning WA, C
Berri Neil London Pulse GA, GS
Natalie Panagarry Loughborough Lightning C, WD
Natasha Pavelin Team Bath GD, GK, WD
Jayda Pechova Team Bath GK, GD
Ellie Rattu London Pulse C, WD
Paige Reed Leeds Rhinos GS, GA
Emma Thacker Loughborough Lightning GS, GA
Training Partners
Kira Rothwell Saracens Mavericks GA, WA
Millie Sanders Leeds Rhinos GD, GK
Alicia Scholes London Pulse WA, C
Name Club Position
Bella Baylis Loughborough Lightning C, WA
Ella Bowen Manchester Thunder GD, GK, WD
Rhea Dixon Loughborough Lightning GA, WA
Molly Hole Loughborough Lightning GD, GK
Suzie Liverseidge Loughborough Lightning GA, WA
Taylor McKevitt Manchester Thunder WD, C
Lois Pearson Manchester Thunder GA, WA
Jayda Pechova Team Bath GK, GD
Kira Rothwell Saracens Mavericks GA, WA
Millie Sanders Leeds Rhinos GD, GK
Alicia Scholes London Pulse WA, C
Aliyah Zaranyika Saracens Mavericks WD, GD

More information on all the players selected can be found on our biography pages.

Tickets for Saturday 14 January and Sunday 15 January at London’s Copper Box Arena have already sold out, with the remaining tickets to Manchester selling quickly. Get your tickets here.

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