What a season it’s been! The Netball Super League (NSL) rebranded for 2025 and the finals are over! So, how have each team performed? Who are the winners and losers and what do they need to improve on for next season? Let’s dive in!
London Pulse:
Points: 37
Season rating: 9/10
Key players: Funmi Fadoju and Gracie Smith
Improvements for next season: Although Pulse went undefeated in the first half of the season, in the latter stages of the season their attack end has shown some cracks that have been exploited. Their ball speed has been good, however Pulse have struggled at times when no-one is available to pass to, because they are so used to a player being free.
Loughborough Lightning:
Points: 32
Season rating: 7/10
Key players: Shadine Van der Merwe and Beth Cobden
Improvements for next season: Lightning’s attack end could do with a tweak. Sammy Wallace-Joseph has not been able to replicate Mary Cholhok’s dominance in the shooting circle and Berri Neil has at times looked a little lost. I am being critical here; second place is certainly an achievement, and I mark Lightning down only because this season has not been as successful as the two previous seasons. On the positive side, they have produced mature performances that show why they are the defending champions. For how much longer that title will be theirs, I’m not sure.
Nottingham Forest:
Points: 22
Season rating: 6/10
Key players: Rolene Streutker and Jayda Pechova
Improvements for next season: Consistency will be key for Nottingham Forest in 2026. Despite doing the double over Lightning and beating Pulse, Forest lost when it really mattered against Mavericks and Panthers, costing them a spot in the finals. They need to ride the wave of pressure when they are expected to win and show more consistency. They have some excellent players, and I am looking forward to watching them play next season.
Cardiff Dragons:
Points: 8
Season rating: 2/10
Key players: Khanyise Chawane and Alex Johnson
Improvements for next season: Dragons must adapt to the super shot and start scoring. Their attack has not stood up against the other seven sides this season, despite their valiant defensive efforts. It has been painful to watch them compete in the one-point game and then fall apart in the final five minutes of each quarter.
Manchester Thunder:
Points: 31
Season rating: 7/10
Key players: Amy Carter and Elmeré Van der Berg
Improvements for next season: Thunder have been guilty of allowing their opponents back into the game- they have not been as clinical as usual this season, having missed Imogen Allison and Natalie Metcalf in midcourt. It has been a pleasure to watch Elmeré Van der Berg and Shannon Mahlik in the shooting circle for Thunder this season.
London Mavericks:
Points: 25
Season rating: 8/10
Key players: Emma Thacker and Razia Quashie
Improvements for next season: Mavericks have been successful this season, having secured a final four placing. This is a massive win for them. To compete with the ‘big three’ next season, Mavericks have to continue on building connections.
Birmingham Panthers:
Points: 20
Season rating: 5/10
Key players: Betsy Creak and Jess Shaw
Improvements for next season: Panthers need to keep on their upward trajectory. They have shown some real improvements throughout this season, evidenced by their recent wins and they should take this momentum forward into 2026.
Leeds Rhinos:
Points: 9
Season rating: 3/10
Key players: Geva Mentor and Cassie Howard
Improvements for next season: Rhinos absolutely have to find a strong replacement for Geva Mentor or risk slipping further down the rankings. They need to start games quicker and capitalise on intercepts and turnovers. In attack, they need to penetrate the defence and get more depth down the court when attacking. A super shot shooter would also be a welcome addition.
General thoughts about the league going forward:
- Games need to be closer. The fact that there are 11 points between Panthers and Rhinos shows a lack of competitiveness at the bottom of the table and this needs to improve in 2026.
- The super shot has been a brilliant addition and a make-or-break for teams. Forest, Thunder and Lightning have been particularly strong in this, whereas Dragons have been notably poor.
- I think that teams should be allowed to make three imports each to expand the quality of teams. Currently, the limit is two. The South African talent that we have witnessed on the court this season has been fantastic and can only improve our top league. I would love to see Sanmarie Visser in the NSL if she is not retained by an Australian SSN club.
- The streaming quality has improved throughout the season, admittedly, however Sky Sports must do better in promoting our sport. The photos posted on their social media repeatedly appear amateur and do our sport no good. Responsibility for upholding these standards also lies with the Netball Super League.
My NSL 2025 Team of the Season (excluding finals):
GK: Jasmine Brown (Birmingham Panthers)
GD: Funmi Fadoju (London Pulse)
WD: Cassie Howard (Leeds Rhinos)
C: Amy Carter (Manchester Thunder)
WA: Alicia Scholes (London Pulse)
GA: Elmeré Van der Berg (Manchester Thunder)
GS: Rolene Streutker (Nottingham Forest)
Close calls for Team of the Season:
GK: Josie Huckle (Manchester Thunder), Jayda Pechova (Nottingham Forest) and Razia Quashia (London Mavericks)
GD: Shadine Van der Merwe (Loughborough Lightning)
WD: Hannah Leighton (Nottingham Forest)
GA: Emma Thacker (London Mavericks), Berri Neil (Loughborough Lightning) and Shannon Mahlik (Manchester Thunder)
GS: Elmeré Van der Berg (Manchester Thunder)
The NSL 2025 finals…
London Pulse were crowned Netball Super League champions for the first time in club history, beating Loughborough Lightning 53-45 at The O2 in London.
Despite losing to London Pulse in the Major semi-final*, defending champions Loughborough Lightning bounced back, defeating Manchester Thunder to secure their place in the Grand Final, where they played Pulse once again. The last time these two teams met, it was a one-goal win for Pulse, and the London side took the win again in the Grand Final, ending Lightning’s hopes for an unprecedented three-peat**. Loughborough was not clinical enough in the attacking end when it really mattered, and Pulse took home a very well-deserved 2025 NSL trophy!
*This determines who goes through to the final whereas the Minor-semi-final is an elimination match.
** The third win of a particular sporting championship.
