FOLLOWING a highly decorated career at both national and international level across the globe, English superstar Geva Mentor will be back in the Netball Super League (NSL) next season. The former Collingwood Magpies defender opted to head back to her roots in England, and take up a place under Liana Leota at the Leeds Rhinos.

About to take to the court in her sixth World Cup for the Roses in Cape Town, Mentor has also donned the red dress in six Commonwealth Games. It has been more than a decade since Mentor last took to the court in the United Kingdom, having spent the majority of her career through the ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball.

 “I am super delighted to announce that I will be coming back to play in Super League,” Mentor told the Leeds Rhinos website.

“It has been many years since I have played in England at club level, having spent the majority of my career playing netball in Australia in the ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball. 

“I am excited that I will now be moving up north, and this southern lass will be playing for Leeds Rhinos.  There are a few things that have drawn me to the club, not only to play under the coaching of Liana Leota but also to help grow the sport in Yorkshire.

“I can’t wait to be able to connect back to the community, meet the team and get settled into my new club and play in Super League.”

Starting with Team Bath and having a stint with Surrey Storm, Leeds Rhinos will be Mentor’s third club in the now named NSL. Having also played for Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Collingwood Magpies, Mentor will return following the withdrawal of the Magpies’ licence from the Suncorp Super Netball.

Leota said signing Mentor was a “huge” one for the Rhinos both on and off the court.

“Her presence and the legacy she has created will have a big impact on our team and community,” Leota said. “I have enjoyed working with Geva at the Roses and we connected over conversations about our role in growing our own community,  our passion to help inspire the next generation and to build our franchise.

“On the court, her wealth of experience and knowledge will be hugely valuable. Geva is able to implement defensive structures effectively and drive high standards because of the experience she has, playing against and with some of the best players in the world every week.

“Her leadership and ability to connect and communicate well with others will also help nurture our defenders and team. I can’t wait to work with her and I am sure Rhinos fans will be excited to welcome a legend of our game to our club and watch her in blue and amber next season.”