Team Bath NXT Gen stars Alanna Pullen and Phoebe Maslen named in England Netball U21 squad for Australia tour

Team Bath Netball stars Alanna Pullen and Phoebe Maslen have been named in a 16-strong England U21 squad that will tour Australia in the new year.

Former Blue & Gold duo Sophie Kelly and Jayda Pechova – who, like Pullen, are University of Bath student-athletes and supported by sporting scholarships – are also in an exciting squad that will face the host nation and New Zealand during a tournament taking place in Canberra from 17-23 January 2025.

The travelling group are all eligible for the Netball World Youth Cup, taking place in Gibraltar in September 2025, and mid-courter Pullen is determined to seize the opportunity with both hands.

“Being selected to go on tour with England U21s is truly a dream come true,” said Alumni Fund scholar Pullen, who will return from Australia for Team Bath’s inaugural 2025 NXT Gen League campaign in February.

“I’m incredibly excited to travel to Australia, where I can learn from some of the best in the world and push myself to new heights as a player. My focus on this tour is to build strong connections with my teammates while also honing my physical and tactical skills.

“I’m determined to leverage my strengths in attack, continuing to refine my decision-making and court awareness, so I can contribute effectively in the mid-court and shooting circle, and help dominate against top-tier opposition.”

This is the first overseas international tour for England at U21 level since Covid.

Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby, a University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport inductee, has also named her senior squad for February’s Vitality Netball Nations Cup, which includes former Team Bath netballers and University of Bath sporting scholars Imogen Allison and Paige Reed.

Tash Pavelin and Hannah Passmore, who were also supported by scholarships as student-athletes, have been named in the England A squad for behind-closed-doors fixtures against Malawi, South Africa and Uganda.

After the international action, focus will turn to the domestic netball season and tickets are on sale now for Team Bath’s six NXT Gen League home matches at the Team Bath Arena, starting on Friday 7th February against new franchise Nottingham Forest. Visit netball.teambath.com/tickets for more information.