Netball Super Cup 2025: Looking to the season ahead
I had the privilege of attending the Netball Super Cup last weekend in Sheffield to kickstart the elite netball season in the UK. Eight teams (Manchester Thunder, Leeds Rhinos, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham Panthers, Loughborough Lightning, London Mavericks, London Pulse and Cardiff Dragons) all took to the court in the inaugural event. Should it continue? Absolutely, in my opinion.
It was a tournament, so I do not think it holds too much weight when discussing the season ahead, because games were only fifteen minutes long, compared to the typical sixty-minute games. One thing is for sure: I think this year’s competition will be closer than ever before with the addition of the super shot (if you score from the outer part of the shooting circle, goals will now be two points rather than one in the last few minutes of each quarter).
Super Cup Champions: London Pulse
Super Cup Finalists: Leeds Rhinos
Semi-Finalists: Nottingham Forest and Manchester Thunder
2024 NSL Champions Loughborough Lightning surprisingly did not make the semi-finals after drawing with London Pulse, beating Cardiff Dragons and losing against Leeds Rhinos. As a Lightning fan, it was a strange and unwelcome feeling not to be in a semi-final! However, I loved seeing England Rose Berri Neil in the shooting circle with Ella Clarke and I cannot wait for the introduction of Sammy Wallace-Joseph!
Birmingham Panthers, who I do think could make the semi-finals, really struggled in this tournament, but Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons impressed me! Nottingham Forest will provide an excellent rivalry for Loughborough Lightning, and I am really looking forward to watching it!
Looking towards the start of the 2025 season this Friday, I think that Lightning, Thunder and Pulse will continue to be the top three this season, however I think that any of the other five teams could make it to the semi-finals, given the high standard of performance at the super cup. I cannot wait for this weekend!
My team of the tournament:
GS: Rolene Streutker (Nottingham Forest)
GA: Elmeré van der Berg (Manchester Thunder)
WA: Jessica Shaw (Birmingham Panthers)
C: Amy Carter (Manchester Thunder)
WD: Beth Cobden (Loughborough Lightning)
GD: Funmi Fadoju (London Pulse)
GK: Geva Mentor (Leeds Rhinos)
You can catch the NSL action throughout the season on Youtube, Sky Sports and BBC Sport.
Additionally, if you want to hear more from me, you can head over to @tash_talker1 on Instagram to find my viewpoints and predictions!
By Natasha Callis
Photo credit: Taken by Natasha at the event
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