Exciting new generation of Blue & Gold stars ready to start NPL campaigns against Loughborough Lightning at Worcester Arena

Two talented young Team Bath Netball squads will start their 2019-20 Netball Performance League (NPL) campaigns this weekend when they visit the Worcester Arena for the big season opener.

Both the U21s (pictured), coached by Nikki Lloyd and assistants Sara Bell and Denise Ellis, and U19s, coached by Lois Jackson and assistant Natalie Roddy, will face Loughborough Lightning on Saturday (December 7) at 10am and 12pm respectively.

This year’s 15-strong U21 squad includes Blue & Gold Superleague shooter Hannah Passmore, who will co-captain the team with Caitlin Rowley, as well as England U19 international Rachael Fee and a host of University of Bath student-athletes.

“I am proud and privileged to be working with exciting and diverse U21 squad which has a balance of experienced Team Bath pathway athletes and talented young players new to the Blue and Gold,” said coach Lloyd.

“I have been really impressed with the early work on and off the court, the players setting high standards and expectations by being individually and collectively accountable whilst demonstrating the strong, supportive team-first ethos that is critical to this environment.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the growth and progress through the league season, culminating in the summer NPL tournament in July.”

Rosie Bartlett and Molly Hole, who represented England at the Netball Europe U17 Championships earlier this year, are part of a 13-strong U19 squad that will be captained by Emily Becconsall.

Head coach Jackson said: “This season is really exciting for me as I have been coaching the U17s for the past two years and a large proportion of the athletes have come up into the U19 age group, so I feel like we have some really good connections.

“There is some amazing talent in this team and I look forward to working with my assistant coach Nat Roddy to bring some special wins this season for the Blue & Gold.”

Team Bath have also named an extended U17 squad, coached by Kara Gonzalez and Kerry Walsh, who will be playing a series of matches across the season against other franchises and representative teams. They will train in two groups, based at the University of Bath and University of Exeter.

Players in all three squads come from across the Netball South West region, with many of the U19 and U17 netballers part of the Team Bath Futures Pathway development programme. Click here to find out more.

2019-20 Team Bath Netball age-group squads

U21s: Amelia Baker (Premier Romans), Gemma Dawson (University of Bath), Ceri Evans (Cardiff Met), Rachael Fee (Exeter NC), Isabel Highstead (Royals/University of Bath), Georgia Jenkins (Team Bath), Bethan Johnson (Dinas), Emily Lacy (Hucclecote), Anna Lebe (Hucclecote/University of Bath), Jo Leslie (University of Bristol), Maya Meredith (University of Bath), Elisha New (University of Bath), Hannah Passmore (Team Bath), Emma Payne (University of Bath), Caitlin Rowley (University of Bath). Training partners: Kemi Afolayan (Cardiff University), Niamh Love (University of Bath).

Head coach: Nikki Lloyd. Assistant coaches: Sara Bell, Denise Ellis. Team manager: Roni Peck.

U19s: Rosie Bartlett (Team Bath), Emily Becconsall (Exeter NC), Megan Conabeare (Team Bath), Sophie Ewin (Exeter NC), Georgina Ford (Team Bath), Sophie Hamilton (Millfield School), Molly Hole (Western Park Blades), Lily Jones (Millfield School), Ellie Jupp (Team Bath), Isla May (Galmington), Millie Pearce (Team Bath), Mia Regan (Team Bath), Lucy Taylor-Hunt (Mavericks). Training partners: Fabienne Bull (Cornwall Saints), Liberty Hartley (Cornwall Saints), India Monllor (Bath Cougars), Sophie Orchard (Exeter NC).

Head coach: Lois Jackson. Assistant coach: Natalie Roddy. Team manager: Vicky Carnall.

U17s – Bath Academy: Phoebe Aisher (Team Bath NC), Giselle Burnett (Western Park Blades), Daisy Collett (Bath Cougars), Alice Conley (Poole NC), Emily Cridland (Poole), Ellie Gabriel (Hucclecote), Jazz Gabriel (Hucclecote), Sophie Hamilton (Millfield), Sophie Jackson (Poole), Maya Lane (Bath Cougars), Izzie McKenzie (Millfield School), Maddie Newcombe (Swan NC), Bryony O’Hare (Wimborne NC), Olivia Ralph (Millfield NC), Effie Robinson (Bath Cougars), Ella Warner (Raychem), Ella Williams (Poole), Scarlett Williams (Poole), Grace Wood (Swan).

U17s – Exeter Academy: Tia Chaloner (Arethusans Weymouth), Bryher Croker (Storm Cornwall), Caitlyn Fee (Teignbridge Titans NC), Leila Fisher (Taunton School), Daisy Harrison (Titans), India Leetham (Exeter NC), Lynty Misselbrook (Saints), Jemma Potter (Exeter NC), Nancy Read (Saints Cornwall), Mia Rickwood (Saints Cornwall), Drew Robinson (Saints), Reese Robinson (Taunton School), Freya Rowse (Saints), Charlotte Steer (Titans), Isabella Valeur-Adu (Jersey Jets), Ella Williams (Exeter NC).

Head coach: Kara Gonzalez. Assistant coach: Kerry Walsh.