Roses U21 player Berri Neil has been selected in Manchester Thunder’s Vitality Netball Superleague squad for the 2021 season.
Neil was named as a training partner in Thunder’s squad for the 2020 campaign but has now been announced as a member of the registered squad 10 for the first time.
The goal shooter is a long-standing pathway athletes having risen through the ranks in Manchester and will now get the opportunity to make her full VNSL debut in 2021 alongside Lois Pearson, who was also selected.
‘She will cause real havoc for defenders’
Despite her age, Neil has already achieved significant success in her short career for both club and country. In addition to impressing at Thunder, the goal shooter has also demonstrated fantastic form for England.
The 17-year-old first became a Roses Academy athlete in 2018 when she was selected for the U17 Netball Europe winning squad. A year later, the youngster played a starring role in the triumphant Netball Europe U21 Championships in 2019 under Karen Greig.
In the same year, she continued to show maturity beyond her years as also won Netball Europe Open with a senior side comprised of fully-fledged internationals and VNSL stars.
Manchester Thunder Head Coach and Director of Netball Karen Greig said: “She [Neil] is such exciting player for someone just 17 years old and, following a solid few suc
Berri Neil at U21 Netball Europe in 2019.
cessful years in our Pathway, she stepped into a Training Partner role last season.
“She is able to play effectively across three positions so gives us some real flexibility in the attacking end. She is fearless on the shot and her timing and understanding of the circle will cause real havoc for defenders.”
“The promotion of this emerging talent demonstrates in real terms the value and importance of Manchester Thunder’s Performance Pathway in identifying and nurturing young talented athletes. I can’t wait to see what Berri and Lois can achieve as part of our squad for the 2020-2021 season.”
‘I want to make a really positive impact’
“It means a lot to me because I have supported Thunder since I was a little girl mainly because of how amazing they are, and I have always respected the players,” said Neil. “I want to make a really positive impact on our squad and am looking forward to learning from other players’ experience.”
To keep up to date on all the VNSL signings and news be sure to follow @NetballSL on Twitter and Instagram. You can also see a comprehensive overview of 2021 squads on the Superleague’s Transfers page throughout the signing window.
