THE 2025 Netball Super League season is a mere fortnight away, and in the lead up to the competition Rookie Me Central will be previewing each of the teams and taking a look at how they might go in this new era of English netball.

In today’s preview, it is time to take a look at the reigning champions, the Loughborough Lightning.

Loughborough Lightning 2025 Netball Super League Squad

Ella Clark
Berri Neil
Sam Wallace-Joseph
Bella Bayliss
Beth Cobden
Hannah Joseph
Natalie Panagarry
Jodie Gibson
Alice Harvey
Shadine Van der Merwe

Last season could not have gone much better for the Lightning. After again being one of the sides to beat all season, they marched their way through the finals and to a second title in a row after defeating the London Pulse on Grand Final Day.

But, not even back-to-back titles could save the Lightning from some serious list turnover after last season. The most notable area of change is in their shooting contingent.

With Mary Cholhok moving to Australia and Rhea Dixon heading to Nottingham Forest, there is two first choice spots available.

Ella Clark is the returning face, but Berri Neil and Sammy Wallace-Joseph are the two with international experience. However, Wallace-Joseph did miss the Super Cup over the weekend so maybe it will be Clark and Neil who start this weekend.

Moving through to the midcourt, and this is going to be the area of least change for the Lightning. Bella Baylis, Beth Cobden, Hannah Joseph and captain Nat Panagarry are all back this year, and will create such a stable core in the middle of the court for the defending champions.

Into defence, and it is an area that the Lightning have really strengthened in the offseason. Alice Harvey may be the only returning face from last season, but she will be joined this season by former Maverick Jodie Gibson and South African former Thunder star Shadine Van der Merwe.

Unlike in the shooters end where the decision has perhaps been made for her, Vic Burgess and the Lightning coaches have a tougher job working out who the first choice defensive combination will be. Although, if the past few years have taught us anything it will likely be Harvey at goal keeper and either Gibson or Van der Merwe at goal defence.