Powell-Davies can’t wait to play in front of her home crowd

​University of Gloucestershire sports student and Severn Stars defender Ella Powell-Davies says she cannot wait to play in front of her home crowd during this Saturday’s fixture against Strathclyde Sirens.

The Severn Stars take on Scottish outfit Strathclyde Sirens on Saturday 6 April (6pm centre pass) at the University of Gloucestershire Sports Arena.

After a final quarter comeback against Celtic Dragons last Saturday (30 March) in Cardiff, Stars will be looking to follow this up with another win against the team who are one place below them in the Vitality Netball Superleague table.

Gloucester-born Powell-Davies, who is currently studying Physical Education and Coaching​ at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “We had a great comeback against Dragons, showing true grit, and that gives us confidence heading into this weekend as we know we can put out strong performances and we are getting better game by game. We have had a great training week this week looking at how we can improve and keep growing as a team. We are looking to focus on the process and our game plan to put out a strong performance against Sirens.”

20-year-old Ella, who found her love for netball when playing for Chosen Hill School in Churchdown, is looking forward to impressing in her home city of Gloucester. “I love being able to play in Gloucester. My friends and family always come to support me and it really motivates me to want to play better and put out a good performance.”

Powell-Davies, says Severn Stars are a very different team to what they were last year. She added: “The thing I love about Stars is how close we all are as a team. We have progressed so much this year in our performances and we are a hard working group who always want to be better. We are excited for this weekend and I can’t wait to see everyone at the Arena.”

Severn Stars have also taken steps to bolster their squad by signing former England Rose, Leah Kennedy. With Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Jodie Gibson still out of action following a knee operation earlier this year, the coaches were keen to bring in the services of Kennedy who has previously played Superleague Netball for Strathclyde Sirens and Team Northumbria. 26-year-old Kennedy, who plays GD/GK, played for the England Roses in 2016 and 2017, as well as the Fast5 England Squad in 2016, before taking a year out due to a shoulder injury.

Newcastle-based Kennedy said: “I am so excited to be part of the Severn Stars squad. The buzz around the Stars this season and the setup is something I can’t wait to be involved in.  I’m very lucky that I know quite a few of the players from my time with Roses.  I played with Sam [Cook] in the circle when I made my England debut.  Also I am very excited to be back in a team with George [Georgia Rowe], from when she played with me at Team Northumbria for a season a few years ago. It’s great to see how she has grown at Stars and I can’t wait to catch up with her and the rest of the squad.”

Addressing the upcoming match, she added: “Most of the Sirens squad haven’t changed since last season and so I reckon I can bring my experience of training weekly with the girls and knowing how to counteract what they do.”​

Tickets for the Severn Stars home games can be purchased via www.ticketline.co.uk/netball-superleague-severn-stars#bio