Fans attending the Vitality Netball International Series between the Vitality Roses and Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls will get the chance to see curtain raiser games featuring members of the Vitality Roses and Future Roses programmes.
On Wednesday 11 January at the AO Arena in Manchester, an England A team will take on the Scottish Thistles before a Future Roses team take part in two games against the England Men’s netball team – the England Thorns – on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The England A team will also take on Jamaica in a behind-closed-doors training match on Monday 9 January.
The Scottish Thistles have been drawn in the same pool as the Vitality Roses for next year’s Netball World Cup, along with Malawi and Barbados.
Kat Ratnapala will lead the England A team and is looking forward to the challenge in the New Year.
“This is a great opportunity to expose more of our England Roses to international match play and there’s no greater opposition than Scotland, who England have been drawn against in the World Cup next year.”
Tamsin Greenway, Head Coach of the Scottish Thistles, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to get another high-quality pressured match under our belt as we prepare for the Netball World Cup in the summer. Being in the same pool as England in South Africa is an exciting prospect for the Thistles as we continue to push ourselves against the very best. The A squad will give us an indication of where we’re at and the style of play to expect.”
In October, the England Thorns played their first international match against Australia in Sydney. This will be the first time England fans will get to see the men’s national team play as part of a Vitality Roses series.
Ryan Allan, President of the England Men’s & Mixed Netball Association, commented: “We are very excited that the Thorns have this fantastic opportunity to play on home soil following on from their historic tour of Australia and New Zealand. This is the perfect way to start 2023 in what will be another monumental year for netball.”
Curtain raiser fixture dates and times
Wednesday 11 January, England A vs. Scottish Thistles, FCP 5pm– AO Arena, Manchester
Saturday 14 January, Future Roses vs. England Thorns, FCP 12pm – Copper Box Arena, London
Sunday 15 January, Future Roses vs. England Thorns, FCP 11.45am– Copper Box Arena, London
Doors open at 4.30pm at the AO Arena and 11am at the Copper Box Arena.
Tickets for Saturday 14 January and Sunday 15 January at London’s Copper Box Arena have already sold out, with the remaining tickets to Manchester selling quickly. Get your tickets here.
A new ‘Ticket Resale’ platform has been set up to allow fans to sell their tickets securely. This will enable fans to resell their tickets safely if their plans change.
