Loughborough Lightning have today announced their full squad that will contest the forthcoming 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague season, which kicks off in February.
The final addition to Karen Atkinson’s 12 woman squad is 16 year old rising star Chloe Essam who is set to make her Superleague debut. No stranger to elite netball, Essam has already made her mark in the netball world, competing for England’s U19s AT Netball Europe.
Chloe is thrilled to have been selected;
“I feel very honoured to be given the opportunity to represent Loughborough Lightning at this level of netball. I’m excited about the whole experience of training and playing in a completely new environment, amongst some amazing national and international players. I can’t wait for the season to begin!”
She joins fellow newcomers Beth Cobden, Ella Gibbons and Vicky Oyesola, who will all wear the prestigious purple dress for the first time this season. They team up with the likes of overseas players Peace Proscovia, Jo Trip and Vanessa Walker who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the squad.
With three new additions to the Superleague in 2017 in the form of Scottish Sirens, Severn Stars and Wasps, the competition will be fiercer than ever, but a strong Lightning squad looks up to the challenge. With a mix of continuity and young talent, the team will benefit from a star studded coaching line up as they prepare for the campaign ahead.
Lightning Head Coach Karen Atkinson is very much looking forward to getting down to some hard work before the start of the season in February. Of her squad she commented:
“I am delighted with the mix of players we have been able to bring together for this season’s Superleague. The most important priority for me was continuity from last season and retaining 9 players in a rapidly changing era of netball is phenomenal. The blend of exciting youth and experienced Super League and International players is perfect and it is fantastic to have them all at Loughborough for both our team sessions, but also the exceptional full-time programme that we offer here.”
Tickets to all of Loughborough Lightning’s home games will be on sale soon.
Loughborough Lightning 2017 Full Squad
Beth Cobden
Brittany Coleman
Chloe Essam
Ella Gibbons
Hannah Joseph
Jo Trip
Lauren Nicholls
Natalie Panagarry
Peace Proscovia
Rebekah Airey
Vanessa Walker
Vicky Oyesola
Coaching Team
Karen Atkinson
Olivia Murphy
Maggie Birkinshaw
