Severn Stars sign up netball Superleague players

The Severn Stars, Gloucestershire’s newest professional sports club, have signed a further two players as it builds towards its first season in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

The club, jointly run by the University of Gloucestershire and University of Worcester, has signed Becky Oatley and Sophie Carter, who both currently play in the Superleague.

Becky, from Cardiff, played last year in the Superleague for Celtic Dragons while Sophie, from Hertfordshire, has been with last year’s Superleague semi-finalists, the Hertfordshire Mavericks, since 2014.

Thirty-one-year-old Becky, who has three caps for Wales, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Severn Stars. The coaching set-up, environment and ethos they are creating is really exciting. I’m really proud and humbled to be a part of it.”

Mid-court player Sophie, 20, has played for the England under-19s. She said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Severn Stars this season. I think the prospect of being a part of something brand new is really exciting as we can establish our culture and environment from the start. I have confidence that the coaching line up will be able to help build a really strong team as well as personally helping me to develop as a player. I know I’ll learn a lot from the players around me and I cannot wait for pre-season to get started.”

Joint Director of Netball for the Severn Stars and Director of Netball at the University of Gloucestershire, Pamela Cookey, said: “I’m very excited with how the team is shaping up. Sophie is a young, intelligent mid-courter itching to show what she can do. Becky Oatley was sharp with good game sense at Dragons last season.”

Head coach Mo’onia Gerrard said: “Rebecca Oatley, having experienced the Superleague competition with the Dragons, will give the team an edge and I like that she is a ‘gutsy’ player. Sophie Carter, who joins us from Mavericks, is also a strong player who has huge potential to continue to develop.”

This follows the recent signings of England trio Eleanor Cardwell, Jodie Gibson and Laura Malcolm.

Photo credit: Press Association.