Posted 1st Dec 2021

South Africa international Phumza Maweni joins Team Bath Netball’s formidable defensive ranks to complete exciting 2022 Superleague squad

Team Bath Netball have added one of the world’s most formidable goal-keepers to their stellar defensive ranks after signing South Africa star Phumza Maweni for the 2022 Vitality Superleague season.

The vastly-experienced international says she cannot wait to link up with a dynamic defensive unit featuring England Roses Layla Guscoth, Imogen Allison and Serena Guthrie, rising stars Molly Hole and Tash Pavelin, and fellow newcomer Lily-May Catling after being confirmed as the Blue & Gold’s 15th player for the new campaign in the Rengen and Haines Watts backed squad.

“I’m really excited to be joining Team Bath,” said Maweni. “I want to deliver what I can for the club and use the strengths I have to make a difference for the team.

“As a defender I’m vertical and vocal – you need to talk and guide people in the goal-keeper position. I am easy to work with and I am very willing to learn from other players, always open to new approaches.

“I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the Bath family and am keen to learn what I can from them. To play alongside someone like Layla will be a real highlight, she is one of those athletes who has everything.

“Serena is a great of netball and it will be amazing to play with her, and Imogen is incredibly athletic at wing-defence. Team Bath’s shooting circle is very strong too and I can’t wait to see what we can do. It’s going to be a massive, massive season.”

Maweni is no stranger to the Superleague, having had previous spells with Loughborough Lightning and Severn Stars, and has spent the past three years in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball as an ever-present for Sunshine Coast Lightning, playing all 47 of their matches and forging an outstanding combination with fellow South African international and former Team Bath goal-defence Karla Pretorius.

She is also a regular starter for her country and was named as best defender as the SPAR Proteas won the recent Africa Netball Cup. Maweni is set to represent South Africa against England, Australia and New Zealand during January’s Quad Series and will link up with her new club afterwards in time for the 2022 Superleague season, which begins in February – click here to buy tickets.

Phumza Maweni in action for Severn Stars at the Team Bath Arena in May 2018

“I played for Lightning in 2015 and Stars in 2018 before moving to Australia,” said Maweni. “I remember Team Bath as one of the teams who were always hard to play against, strong in both attack and defence.

“I had the best time in Australia, it was massive for me to play there for three years and I learnt so much during my time at Sunshine Coast Lightning. I was really grateful for the opportunity and I think I had three great seasons. I enjoyed my time off the court as well, exploring and experiencing a different culture.”

Anna Stembridge – Superleague Head Coach for Team Bath, who are also supported by Rengen – said: “We are absolutely delighted that Phumza will be joining us for the new Superleague season. Her style of defending will really compliment the players we have but, equally importantly, she is the type of character and personality we look for.

“Phumza is an extremely athletic and rangy keeper, and she is a real thinker on the court too. You can see her working out the strengths of the opposing shooter and finding the opportunities that she can exploit.

“She is coming here off the back of a successful spell in Australia and some fantastic performances for her country. Phumza is going to be a formidable addition to our defensive unit and we can’t wait to welcome her into the Blue & Gold family.”

Exciting attacking players Kim Borger, Betsy Creak, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Kirsty Harris, Lily Jones, Hannah Passmore, Jess Shaw and Rachel Shaw have also been named in the Team Bath squad for the 2022 Superleague season.

Eight home league matches are being played at the Team Bath Arena in the new year, starting with the visit of Surrey Storm on Friday 18th February (7.30pm), and season and match-day tickets are on sale now. Click here to find out more.

Fans will have an early chance to see the Superleague squad in action at the Team Bath Arena before Christmas as the Blue & Gold, London Pulse and Wasps do battle for the Lyn Gunson Trophy on Saturday 18th December.

There will be three matches to enjoy – at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm – and tickets for the whole day are available now priced £14.50 for adults and £10 concessions. Visit netball.teambath.com/tri-tournament-2021 for details.

Team Bath Netball is supported by its Principal and Pathway Partner, chartered accountants Haines WattsRengen Developments, who are an overall Team Bath Partner; Centurion Chartered Financial Planners and Ecus Ltd, our environment partner. Team Bath’s suppliers include O’Neills2XUPulseroll and Halo Hydration.

Other news articles

Jess Thirlby, Eboni Usoro-Brown and Clare Elsley stood in front of blue and gold ribbons at Team Bath.
“Incredible honour” as Team Bath legend Eboni Usoro-Brown is appointed as Honorary President of England Netball

Eboni Usoro-Brown, one of Team Bath Netball’s and the Vitality Roses’ most decorated players, has been appointed as Honorary President of England Netball. The appointment was confirmed at the 2025 England Netball AGM, held on Saturday 13th September, and...

Read More
A graphic featuring headshots of players wearing Team Bath Netball kit. The players are (from left) Dani Carr, Lilia Davies, Immi Shaw, Matilda Smyth, Zoe Maynard, Madison Sims and Alanna Pullen. Behind them is a blue smoke design and there are Netball World Youth Cup 2025 and Team Bath Netball logos in the respective top corners.
Emerging Team Bath talent take to the global stage in Gibraltar for 2025 Netball World Youth Cup

Several Team Bath Netball players will be showcasing their talents on the global stage when the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup takes place in Gibraltar from 19th to 28th September. NXT Gen League shooter Dani Carr has been named...

Read More
Team Bath Netball player Alanna Pullen on the Team Bath Arena court, holding the ball above her head as she prepares to pass. She is being watched by a crowd of spectators and her team-mates on the bench.
Team Bath Netball NXT Gen star Alanna Pullen joining Birmingham Panthers for 2026 Super League season

Team Bath Netball NXT Gen League star Alanna Pullen has followed up her Netball World Youth Cup selection by being awarded a 2026 Super League contract by Birmingham Panthers. It comes after a standout season in Blue & Gold...

Read More
Team Bath Netball Sponsors
Partners and Suppliers