A HUGE month of Vitality Netball Superleague list-building is now done and dusted, with the signing period complete and all 11 franchises creating exciting new-look teams and boasting some huge names. In the first edition of our 2022 VNSL team list articles, we run through the first six teams in alphabetical order and the newcomers to the squads.

Note: TP denotes 2022 training partner

CELTIC DRAGONS

The Celtic Dragons have nowhere to go but up after a rocky few seasons at the bottom of the ladder, and look to have brought together a cohesive squad for the upcoming season. While they have retained a couple of key names, they have also brought in some big fixtures to inject some flair and excitement at either end. Expect 2022 to be a real rebuild year for the Dragons as they look to gain some cohesion across the court as well as earn some valuable respect on court after being cellar dwellers.

2022 SQUAD

Coach: Danielle Titmuss

Newcomers: Georgia Rowe (Severn Stars), Lefebre Rademan (London Pulse), Annabel Roddy (Loughborough Lightning), Nia Jones (Severn Stars), Katarina Short, Louise Marsden

LEEDS RHINOS

The Rhinos will really want to build off an outstanding debut season as they head into 2022 with a clear idea of what they are setting out to achieve. Despite losing a couple of key figures over the off-season, the Rhinos have filled in the gaps really nicely and have realistically not lost any of the dynamism or spark that saw them achieve success during 2021, making for an intriguing new-look squad. They have retained key and upcoming figures in all areas of the court which will put them in good stead to build off their maiden season and return to finals contention once more.

2022 SQUAD

Coach:

Newcomers: Amy Clinton (Celtic Dragons), Rebekah Airey (Manchester Thunder), Sigi Burger (London Pulse)

LONDON PULSE

It was a huge signing period for the Pulse, who had their player confirmations in early and nabbed some significant talent for the 2022 squad. With a whopping five fresh faces joining the Pulse from three other VNSL franchises and a Suncorp Super Netball team, the Pulse have assembled a highly talented and dynamic list with plenty of growth areas. The new-look Pulse outfit will look to build on what the side started in the second half of the 2021 VNSL season and develop a more consistent playing group.

2022 SQUAD

Coach: Sam Bird

Newcomers: Jasmin Odeogberin (Loughborough Lightning), Berri Neal (Manchester Thunder), Alicia Scholes (Manchester Thunder), Sacha McDonald (Melbourne Vixens TP), Tayla Honey (Melbourne Vixens TP)

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

The 2021 champions did not have a heap of changes over the off-season, with a couple of players departing but many of the starters retaining their position within the squad. It is safe to say the Lightning will retain the mantle as the team to beat coming into the 2022 season with threatening combinations across the court, and while their defensive end will look very different to the past few seasons, expect the Lightning to come out firing on all cylinders.

2022 SQUAD

Coach: Sara Francis-Bayman

Newcomers: Fran Williams (Wasps Netball), Zanele Vimbela

MANCHESTER THUNDER

Manchester Thunder are looking good for season 2022, adding some huge international fixtures to their squad and appearing very dangerous at first glance. Most importantly, what the Thunder have done well over the off-season is retain a number of their key fixtures across the court and bolstered the 2021 lineup rather than bringing in a heap of new starters, which will most certainly help their case as they look to continue to be a hugely cohesive and controlled team next season.

2022 SQUAD

Coach: Karen Greig

Newcomers: Nat Haythornthwaite (NSW Swifts), Shadine van der Merwe (Adelaide Thunderbirds, Emma Rayner

SARACENS MAVERICKS

It was another up and down season for the Mavericks during 2021, so watch out for the side in 2022 as they look to make their way up the ladder and provide a real threat. One of the teams that has seen very little movement, the Mavericks are set to further develop their current combinations across the court rather than bringing in fresh faces and take advantage of their innate connections with a highly exciting playing group in the works.

2022 SQUAD

Coach: Kat Ratnapala

Newcomers: Yasmin Hodge-England (Surrey Storm), Jameela McCarthy

Picture credit: Morgan Harlow/Getty Images