DESPITE the cancellation of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) this year, several of the up and coming stars for England have still had the opportunity to train at the elite level in 2020 through the Roses Futures programme. We at Draft Central cast our eye over some of those athletes, along with a couple of names who we are likely to hear more from over the coming seasons. The Roses Futures programme over the past few years has helped to nurture a strong cohort of athletes who will be ready to step onto the international stage when their time comes.

ATTACK

The future shooting circle of the Roses is looking bright, with several youngsters already making their mark on the Superleague stage and gaining valuable experience under pressure. Whilst we are likely to see Jo Harten, Helen Housby and George Fisher around for the next few years, there are a few players who will be snapping at their heels for a starting spot in the years to come. 

Olivia Tchine – London Pulse

Standing at 191cm, Tchine is a tall shooter of high calibre. This is her second year in the Roses Futures programme and she was due to compete at the World Youth Cup in Fiji in 2021. While the competition is currently postponed, her strong hold and accuracy to post would make her a useful option for the Roses, and she will have enjoyed the chance to learn from an experienced international level shooter in Sigi Burger whilst at London Pulse this season. 

Berri Neil – Manchester Thunder

There’s a lot to like about this young shooter who made her mark at the senior Netball Europe Open competition when she was just 16. Tipped by some as the next Housby, Neil’s clever movement and strong drives in attack are a standout of her game. Whilst she has not yet been named in the Roses Futures programme, her journey through the Roses Academy and Under 21s level is already progressing well beyond her years. She was recently promoted from being a training partner to earning a place the senior squad for Manchester Thunder, and her talents will only grow with more exposure at the elite level. 

MIDCOURT

Through the midcourt, England are developing a number of potential stars of the future. These youngsters are able to learn from some of the world’s best in Jade Clarke, Serena Guthrie and Chelsea Pitman. The midcourt has historically always been an area of strength for England, and alongside the full-time senior Roses, these talented athletes are likely to continue that trend beyond the Netball World Cup in 2023. 

Kira Rothwell – London Pulse

Similar to the likes of a Nat Haythornthwaite or Kiera Austin, Rothwell is confident to swing between wing attack and goal attack, making her a threatening option in any lineup. She has the speed to burn and whilst she is not the tallest player her nippy footwork and confidence to shoot from range make her a valuable asset. She has been on the England scene since she was selected for the EN National Academy in 2016 and has performed with confidence whenever she has stepped out onto the VNSL court. 

Amy Carter – Manchester Thunder

Carter impressed fans at the 2020 Netball Nations Cup with her gutsy performance and energy in the midcourt. She is a workhorse and the sort of player who can dig deep when a game gets tough in order to lift the team. Carter was also part of the 2019 VNSL Championship Thunder team and has already tasted success for England at U21 level. She is a tenacious and talented player, who can tire out her opponent and also make use of her excellent vision when feeding the circle. We are likely to see a lot more of her on the international stage over the next few years. 

Iona Christian – Wasps Netball

A product of the Manchester Thunder Pathway and England Youth setup, Christian has plied her trade on the Superleague stage for several years. She is a classy player who can provide a huge amount of consistency and easily dictate the tempo of the match. Having moved from Severn Stars to Wasps Netball in 2020 she has the opportunity to cement her place as a core part of the two time Superleague Championship side. This exposure will be a chance for Christian to grow in confidence and demonstrate her experience on court when it comes to senior England selection. 

DEFENCE

Defensively the Roses have a number of very exciting young athletes in the development pathway. Under the tutelage of England legend Sonia Mkoloma, who was named as an Assistant Coach for the most recent test series, these players have the best chance of fulfilling their huge potential. From Geva Mentor and Stacey Francis to players like Fran Williams and Razia Quashie coming up the ranks, the defensive end for England is extremely competitive, and the addition of the youth coming through will cause headaches for selectors. 

Halimat Adio – London Pulse

With her height and physical presence on court, Adio has all the components of a very strong defender at the elite level. Having moved to Pulse for the 2020 season, Adio was awarded the responsibility of co-captain, an appointment which demonstrates her leadership ability at such a young age. She is a leader both on and off the court, and having not played a full season at Superleague level due to the cancellation, it is impressive how she has managed to make such an impression on the UK netball scene.

Funmi Fadoju – London Pulse

After an outstanding performance at Netball Europe, followed by breaking onto the Superleague scene in 2020 it was surprising that Fadoju was not selected for the Roses Futures programme. The young defender is a natural ball winner, with fantastic athletic ability and a read of the game which is well beyond her years. She is a player with an enormous amount of potential and someone we will most likely see dominate in the red dress over the coming years.