Oldham Netball Club (PL1), The Downs Netball Club (PL2) and Blackpool Netball Club (PL3) have taken the 2024-25 Premier League titles.
Following 18 action-packed rounds, Premier League 1 and 2 concluded on 23 March, with the final games delivering decisive moments in the race for promotion and the battle to avoid relegation in the second division.
With a handful of rearranged fixtures still to play, Premier League 3 will continue a little longer, with final positions not quite settled yet.
After finishing third in 2023-24, Oldham Netball Club regained the Premier League 1 trophy, making it 12 titles from 14.
Hucclecote Netball Club, who were promoted to Premier League 1 after winning the Premier League 2 division in 2023-24, finished runners up to Oldham, nine points below the champions after winning 14 of their 18 games in the season.
Speaking to the Oldham Chronicle, Oldham Head Coach Debbie Hallas said: “It’s been a long but rewarding season and I’m delighted to bring the trophy back to Oldham.
“Our success is testament to the great work in our junior club where we literally have a conveyor belt of talent coming through, where in seniors, we can develop that young talent alongside experience senior players.”
To finish the 2024-25 season, they hosted a showcase event in which they beat local rivals YWCA Bury 58-53 at Oldham Leisure Centre where they were also officially presented with the trophy in front of their fans.
Image: Tom Nokes
At the other end of the table, the two teams to be relegated from the top flight had already been confirmed ahead of the final weekend.
Academy won their fourth top-flight title in 2023-24, losing just two games over the course of the season, but finished in ninth position in 2024-25 on 39 points, seven points below Eagles who finished in eighth.
After one win and 17 losses in 2024-25, Charnwood finished bottom of the league with 21 points.
The Downs have secured an immediate return to the top flight, finishing top of the table with 15 wins from 18 and an impressive 11-point cushion ahead of runners up in Premier League 2 Team Bath Toucans.
This second-place finish means Team Bath Toucans have secured back-to-back promotions after they were promoted from Premier League 3 at the end of the 2023-24 season.
With Norfolk United’s fate already sealed, Oaksway (8th, 40 points before the final fixture) and Leeds Athletic (9th, 38 points) entered the final round separated by just two points in the fight for survival.
Much like in the 2023-24 season, Oaksway were again able to avoid relegation with a win in the final game of the season securing their eighth-place finish and meaning that Leeds Athletic, who lost to Telstars, finished in ninth and will be relegated to Premier League 3.
Blackpool will be determined to make their mark in Premier League 2 in 2025-26 after storming to the third division title. After finishing fourth in 2023-24, they showed their strength, consistency and connections, losing just once all season.
Despite some rearranged fixtures still left to play, Bristol Romans, who retained their Premier League 3 position for this season after finishing eighth in the regular 2023-24 season and then coming through the Premier League Play-Offs, confirmed their position as runners-up of Premier League 3 in the 2024-25 season with a 58-44 win against BSV Billericay in round 18.
A final few rearranged fixtures left to be played mean that the final positions at the bottom of the Premier League 3 league table could still change. Leyton and BSV Billericay are confirmed to be taking part in the Premier League Play-Offs after finishing at the bottom of the table. The third and final team will be decided after these rearranged fixtures, with Exeter, Sussex Thunder and Hatfield all fighting to avoid the Play-Offs. This will be Leyton’s second consecutive appearance in the Play-Offs after they successfully fought for their place in Premier League 3 at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The Premier League Play-Offs will take place on 26 and 27 April 2025 at the University of Worcester Arena.
To catch up on the action, you can re-watch select Premier League matches on englandnetball.tv.
