After a narrow defeat in their recent series against Australia, the Vitality Roses, England’s national netball team, are set to take on New Zealand in a highly anticipated series of matches. Every Test match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and for free on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
Jess Thirlby, the head coach of the Vitality Roses, has announced a squad of 15 players for the tour, comprising three Tests in Australia and three in New Zealand. Fran Williams will captain England, with Beth Cobden and Helen Housby serving as vice-captains.
The tour commenced with the team facing Australia in a three-match series. The initial encounter took place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where England was defeated 70-57. The second match, however, saw a thrilling turnaround with England securing a 61-59 victory in Sydney. Despite this momentum, the series concluded with a 69-56 loss in Bendigo, denying England a historic series win.
Now turning their focus to New Zealand, the Vitality Roses are set to contest the Taini Jamison Trophy. The series will begin at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on September 29, followed by matches at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on October 2 and the ILT Stadium Southland on October 6. All matches start at 7.35am BST and will be available for viewers on Sky Sports Mix and YouTube.
The squad for the current tour includes prominent players such as Imogen Allison, Eleanor Cardwell (for the Australia series only), Amy Carter, Funmi Fadoju, and Lois Pearson. This selection illustrates the depth and versatility within the team, which will be crucial in their upcoming matches.
In retrospect, England’s recent performances against both Australia and New Zealand have been competitive. At the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in January, England narrowly lost to Australia 61-59 in the group stage but triumphed over New Zealand 58-57 in a closely contested match. Their final against Australia ended in a 69-49 defeat, highlighting areas for improvement.
The Taini Jamison Trophy, named after New Zealand’s former head coach, is a coveted prize. England claimed a 2-1 series victory in 2021 but were edged out last year by the same margin. The upcoming matches represent an opportunity for the Vitality Roses to build on past experiences and potentially secure a significant series win.
Viewers can look forward to comprehensive coverage of the tour with every match being broadcast live. This accessibility ensures that fans can follow the team’s progress and stay engaged with the high-stakes competition as it unfolds.
The Vitality Roses’ tour of Australia and New Zealand offers a thrilling chapter for England netball. With robust preparations and a talented squad, they aim to achieve notable victories against top-tier teams.
