Bird to spearhead Severn Stars next season

​The Severn Stars have appointed a new Head Coach to lead the 2018 campaign.  

Sam Bird, who was the Stars’ Assistant Coach for the team’s inaugural Vitality Netball Superleague season, has been chosen as Head Coach for the 2018 season.

Prior to helping Mo’onia Gerrard guide the Severn Stars to eighth place in their first Superleague season, Bird was formerly head coach at the Hertfordshire Mavericks.

Bird had been with the Mavericks for 11 years and became head coach in 2014, leading them into the Superleague play-offs for each of her last two seasons with them.

Last year Bird was appointed England netball technical coach for the mid court, working with other key performance coaches, and has been a national selector for England netball for the last three years.

Sam Bird, Severn Stars Head Coach, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Severn Stars as Head Coach this year. I’m looking forward to developing the squad and our performances this season and am excited at the prospect of working with such dedicated players and staff.”

Pamela Cookey, Severn Stars Director of Netball, said: “Severn Stars management and myself welcome Sam as Head Coach and look forward to her leading the squad into the 2018 season. Sam brings a wealth of experience from her role at Mavericks and has a clear vision which positions well with the ambitions at Severn Stars.”

Bird has played for England from Under 16 to Senior level, but was forced to retire from playing aged 24 due to a knee injury. She went on to coach at county and club level before joining the Mavericks.

The Severn Stars, a joint franchise between the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Worcester, will play their next competitive match at the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship on 23 September.