Who are Nottingham Forest Netball and Birmingham Panthers?

Panthers vs Forest | photo taken from @birminghampanthersnetball on instagram

After the new era of the Netball Super League there were two new teams formed, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham Panthers but who are the sides? 

Nottingham Forest: 

All their home games will be played at the Motorpoint Arena and will bring a variety of players to their squad including both youth and experience. 

The side have done well in their debut season including a win against unbeaten side London Pulse in round 8. Wins against Pulse, Rhinos, Lightning and Dragons as well as a point against Panthers see them currently sit 5th with 16 points. 

The side still has four rounds left in the season including games against Mavericks, Lightning, Panthers and Rhinos. 

A player to watch would be young talent Jayda Pechova as she explores her new team after being dominant in the defensive third for Team Bath.  

Captain and Head Coach: 

The side are led out by former Vitality Rose Chelsea Pitman and captained by Northern Irish international Niamh Cooper with versatile Tash Pavelin as vice-captain originally from Team Bath. 

10 player squad: 

Exciting young talent Jayda Pechova is comfortable at both goal defence and goalkeeper after moving from Team Bath and joins her old teammate Tash Pavelin in the defensive third. 

Pavelin is dominant wearing all positions in the defensive third and also plays alongside Ugandan star Falidah Kadondi with her focusing on the goalkeeper dress. 

Niamh Cooper can put on the garibaldi red wing defence or centre dress alongside Hannah Leighton as the Scottish international joins the Northern Irish in the mid court. She also joins fellow Scot Iona Christian who puts on the Centre bib. 

In the shooting third, Rhea Dixon is no stranger to all three positions after joining from Loughborough Lightning. She is joined by Jamaican teammate Brie Grierson who primarily plays either Goal Attack or Wing Attack. 

Finally the squad has Rolene Streutker in goal shoot with the South African being a major player in the soft and gentle super shot. 

photo taken from @nfnetball on instagram

Birmingham Panthers: 

All Panthers home games will be played at either BP Pulse Live Arena, Utilita Arena Birmingham, Coventry Skydome or University of Worcester Arena. 

The new additions aim for netball to get to different heights and are setting a new standard for performance, empowerment and fan experiences. 

After wins against Forest and Rhinos and a point against Mavericks, Lightning and Dragons, they currently sit 6th with 9 points. 

In the final rounds they will face Pulse, Mavericks, Forest and Lightning as well as the rescheduled game vs Dragons. 

A player to watch would be exciting new prospect Ruth Hughes as she gains more experience under Jo Trip of who she was with at Severn Stars last season. 

Captain and Head Coach: 

The side is led by former Netball Super League player and ex Severn Stars player-coach Jo Trip. Panthers were captained by Gabby Marshall before her retirement a few days ago due to concussion but have Welsh international Betsy Creak as Captain now, with Michelle Magee as Vice Captain. 

10 player squad: 

The defensive third sees Jasmine Brown in the Goalkeeper and Goal Defence dress after moving from Severn Stars following Jo Trip to Birmingham Panthers like many others. 

Gabrielle Coffey joins in the exact same positions coming from New South Wales with Michelle Magee wearing the Goal Defence and Wing Defence bib joining from Leeds Rhinos. 

Mid court sees Centre and Wing Attack Ruth Hughes, with the young player joining experienced Jess Shaw who both come from Severn Stars and wear the same positions. 

Aliyah Zaranyika wears the Wing Defence bib and joins Panthers from London Mavericks with Gabrielle Sinclair able to play both Goal Attack and Wing Defence, making her statement in the Suncorp Super Netball in Australia. 

After the retirement of Gabby Marshall, NXT Gen Ellen Withington has been promoted to the squad playing under defensive and attacking thirds. She most recently made her NSL debut against Manchester Thunder in Round 10.

In the shooting third sees Sigi Burger being prominent in the goal shoot dress after being one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league. 

She is joined by Betsy Creak as she wears the Goal Attack or Goal Shooter bib and was most recently under the Severn Stars guidance. 

group photo | photo taken from @netballsl and @birminghampanthersnetball on instagram