Summer here to stay on return to first club
Team Bath Netball have brought one of their talented former phenoms back into the fold. England international Summer Artman, a former King Edward’s School student who broke into the Superleague squad in 2014 aged just 16, says she is looking forward to bringing her “passion and determination” back to the Blue & Gold. Fellow young defender Leila Thomas, who represented Wales at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, has also joined the South West franchise as Team Bath continue to build both for the campaign ahead and for the future. Artman has spent the past three seasons combining her studies at Brunel University with starring in the Superleague with benecosmavericks but, following her graduation this summer, has returned to the club where her netball journey began. “I’m really excited to be coming back home to Team Bath this season,” said Artman, who will add to her three senior caps when she represents England on next month’s tour of Jamaica. “I had my first ever Superleague spell there. I was 16 and it was such an exciting period of my netballing career, playing with people I had looked up to for so long like Pamela Cookey, Stacey Francis and Serena Guthrie to name but a few – it was a whirlwind of a time. “Coming back as a 21-year-old, I’ve gained some new experiences but have that same passion and determination the younger Summer had. I’ve learnt a lot since being away about myself as a person and as an athlete, so I’m excited to share that and give back to the community that supported me so greatly when I was younger. “I’m eager to learn and to grow and I know the Team Bath environment will support me in that. The Bristol girl is back and ready for the 2019 season.” Artman plays at goal-keeper and goal-defence, as does fellow new girl Thomas, who has two years of Superleague experience under her belt with Celtic Dragons. A relative latecomer to netball, 20-year-old Thomas has enjoyed a rapid rise and represented her country at U17 and U21 level before making the step up to the senior ranks this year. She will also captain Wales U21 at Netball Europe in Ireland next week. “Team Bath is renowned for developing players and that was something that really attracted me to here,” said Thomas. “It is an amazing set-up and I’m enjoying being part of a new training environment alongside worldclass players. I will learn so much from working with experienced players like Eboni Beckford-chambers and Serena Guthrie, and there are a lot of players around my age developing together which is excit- ing for the seasons ahead.” Team Bath head coach Jess Thirlby said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Summer back to the Blue & Gold for the 2019 season. You could see she was always destined to have a bright future while she was coming through our pathway. “Since going to university, Summer has gained valuable Superleague experience with Mavericks and graduated into the England Roses programme, so she is a very strong signing for us in defence. “Summer is already making her mark in netball and we are excited to help her realise her potential and see her combine with her Team Bath team-mates. “She is a local Bristol girl and a great role model. We know she will help inspire the young talent within our pathway and the South West, and our fans can be excited about her return.” On Thomas, she added: “We are also excited to work with Leila, a very talented young defender who has already had a taste for Superleague and demonstrated her ability to contest and win ball across any of the three defensive positions. “She trains and plays with a great intensity and her work ethic is fantastic. We are keen to see her progress and perform amongst a very talented squad for 2019.” However, the Blue & Gold have lost Layla Guscoth, who has joined Australian side Adelaide Thunderbirds after two excellent seasons that saw her voted into the Superleague team of the year. “I would like to thank Team Bath netball for a fantastic two years at the club,” said Guscoth. “It has been great to work with such dedicated coaches, athletes and staff and I would like to thank everyone for all of their support. “In particular, I’d like to give a huge thanks to the Team Bath fans who made me feel welcome and raised the STV roof throughout the good and the bad. I will miss you all, thanks for having me.”