Netball Super League: Young Players to Watch
- Lauren White
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
In the new era of the Netball Super League, there are plenty of young faces that many watchers might not know. We go through all the emerging talents from all the teams.
Birmingham Panthers: Ellen Withington
Ellen made her Netball Super League debut in Round 10 after coming on against Manchester Thunder. The star plays at either Centre or Wing Defence and is one to watch in the future games towards the end of the season.
After Gabby Marshall’s retirement, she got called up to the 10 player squad from the NXT Gen side just a few weeks ago. Her strong flair brings something different to the new netball side and in the final few games she looks to find a more permanent place in the seven.
LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons: Alexandra Johnson
Playing 10 games this season, the Wales International is shining in the defensive third for Dragons. She looks to play her first season in the Netball Super League after being a training partner with Lightning for 2023 and 2024.
She made her Wales debut last year against Uganda and plays for Loughborough University’s BUCS team like many others in the Netball Super League. Johnson is one to watch in defence during her first season alongside some key players in Green.
Leeds Rhinos: Cassie Howard
Playing in all the games so far, Cassie plays at either Centre or Wing Defence and was a breakout star during last season, but only made two appearances in her debut season in 2023.
She quickly cemented her place in the starting seven last season and received the Rhinos’ fans’ player of the season making her a player to watch for the future. Her play in the mid court helps Rhinos move the ball and the players further up the pitch which helps the Yorkshire side go from end to end.
London Mavericks: Izzi Phillips
Appearing in every game so far this season, the mid court defender is a star to watch. While playing in Wing Defence, Goal Defence and Centre she swapped from Pulse to Mavericks ahead of the season and focused on continuing her form across.
Bursting onto the season last season for Pulse, she earned Netball Super League Young Player of the Season for her performances at Centre. She is part of the Future Roses programme for the 24/25 international season and is a player to focus on as she is rapid mid court.
London Pulse: Gracie Smith
Playing and focusing in the mid-court, the 16 year old is aiming on sementing her place wearing the Wing Defence or the Centre dress. She has featured 9 times this season for Pulse and is the youngest player to earn a contract this season.
Prior to this season, she was a training partner at Saracens Mavericks (now London Mavericks) and has been included in the Roses Academy the last two international seasons. Being called up to the Under-17 England Roses squad at just 14 earned her to being a one to watch in the mid court throughout the rest of the season.
Her pace and stride across the court could see her playing for the England Roses squad soon.
Loughborough Lightning: Berri Neil
The Wing and Goal Attack has featured in all rounds of the season so far including having 111 goals to her name and a 77% shot success. She started as a training partner for Manchester Thunder at just 17 and is a versatile attacker which earned her a place at London Pulse.
Pulse finished runners-up in the 2023 Grand Final and she was named Young Player of the season and joined the defending two-time champions in September 2024. She is a player to watch for both Lightning and England Roses as she tries to cement her place as a vital attacker for any side.
Manchester Thunder: Shannon Mahlik
Currently serving as a temporary replacement player, the young attacker started in the Thunder squad throughout the season helping the side go from strength to strength.
Her performances as either Goal Attack or Goal Shoot has made her perform multiple times this season and has helped shooter Elmeré van der Berg in the circle. Looking to perform more during the rest of the season, her shooting assets have helped the Manchester side and is a player to watch in the future.
Nottingham Forest: Freya Henshall
The shooter has made 9 appearances across the season so far scoring 33 goals and 16 super shots being one of the emerging talents in the new era. The 18 year old signed her professional contract with Forest after previously spending time with Pulse and Lightning.
The new era sees her be able to showcase her attacking skills and will be one to watch in the remaining games and the future. She has represented England at Under-21 level and impressed while on international duty.
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