Charnwood Warriors set for National return
CHARNWOOD Rutland Warriors return to National League action this weekend after regaining their place in the Nationals after an unbeaten 2017/18 campaign.
The side, spearheaded by their player/coach Sam Griffin, previously played in the league in the 2016/17 season and will now face teams as far and wide as Jersey, Norfolk, Essex and Kent.
It has been strengthened with the signing of Superleague player Jaydene Robinson and Loughborough Lightning U19 star Rachel Duckers.
Mid-court superstar Robinson who has played for Team Northumbria in netball’s highest level of competition the Superleague, and shooter Duckers who wears the purple of Loughborough Lightning in their U19 side, will join an already strong squad of players.
Player coach Sam Griffin said: “We are delighted to welcome Jaydene and Rachel to the club and they will be a huge asset to our Prem squad this season and complement the talent and skills we have in the squad. Playing in the National Premier will be a step up for us physi-
cally and tactically so it will be great to have strength and depth to call upon.”
The Warriors enjoyed a fantastic pre-season weekend at the beginning of September with Loughborough Lightning coach and former England star Olivia Murphy putting the squads through their paces on court with the support of a whole array of top-class coaches.
As well as their National Premier squad the Warriors 2nd team also enjoyed a stellar 2017/18 season as they secured promotion to East Midlands Regional Division One, their second promotion in two years.
Griffin said the whole club was looking forward to the coming season.
“We have some incredibly talented players across all our squads and as a coach I can’t wait to work with them and see what we can do. Last season was a brilliant first season as a new, united club and we’re looking forward to building on that and achieving even bigger things this season.
“Last season was a hugely successful one for the club in the first year as a newly merged club and now we’re looking to push on and build on that.
“We have a big challenge on our hands to stay both in National Premier and Regional Division One and to replicate what our juniors produced last year but we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
Their first game is this Sunday (September 23) at Billericay.