BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Stacey Francis of the Fever passes the ball during the round seven Super Netball match between the West Coast Fever and the Collingwood Magpies at Nissan Arena on August 25, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
West Coast Fever have extended the contract of Vitality Rose Stacey Francis until the end of the 2021 Super Netball season.
The defender has represented West Coast Fever since the inaugural Super Netball season and has inked a new deal days after the Perth side’s nail-biting 64-66 Grand Final defeat to the Melbourne Vixens.
Francis, who made the switch to Australia after securing five Vitality Netball Superleague titles with Team Bath Netball as well as spells with Canterbury Tactix (New Zealand) and Yorkshire Jets, won the Coach’s Award in her debut campaign with Fever and has formed a strong combination with club captain and Samsung Diamond Courtney Bruce in the defensive circle.
The crowd favourite, who returned to the international stage in November 2019 after previously winning two World Cup and one Commonwealth Games bronze medal with the Vitality Roses, has helped West Coast Fever to two Grand Finals in three years (2018 and 2020).
However, after being edged out on both occasions (losing 62-59 to fellow Vitality Rose Geva Mentor and Sunshine Coast Lightning in their first final), the crowd favourite will be itching to bring a Premiership to her adoring Fever fans.
Speaking on the official club website, West Coast Fever Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich said it was important to continue to develop her young squad while maintaining the stalwarts of the club.
“Stacey Francis is a great defender and continues to push her teammates to be the best and I’m really excited to see what she can do on court with Fever again next year,” she said.
Due to the current Super Netball Collective Bargaining Agreement coming to an end in 2021 competition clubs are not permitted to sign players beyond next season.
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