THIS weekend international netball returns, with the Taini Jamison Trophy being contested again in New Zealand. In the lead up to the series, we here at Rookie Me Central are going to be taking a deep dive into this series, continuing today by taking a look at the visitors England.  

This is a big series upcoming for England.

Despite a second place finish at the recent World Cup, it has taken a bit of a risk in sending a more inexperienced squad to this series. This has raised a lot of questions from fans and New Zealand netball alike, the pressure will be on to prove them all wrong.

It will be a big series for just about every player set to take the court in one way or another.

Sophie Drakeford-Lewis will have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders this series. As one of the more experienced faces in this squad and one of the likely captaincy choices, she will really have to lead from the front even though she does not have a lot of caps herself.

Sasha Glasgow has a huge opportunity in der debut series as a Rose to show why she belongs at international level.

Alice Harvey is another, who has been regularly making Roses squads but has not seen a lot of game type, so faces a perfect opportunity to really show why she should get some more game time in the future.

Elle McDonald is someone who is starting her journey to cementing her place as a consistent member of the Roses, and with Chelsea Pitman’s recent retirement, McDonald now has an even better opportunity to prove why she should be getting more starts.

Then there are some faces who have not had the opportunities to make the senior Roses sides very often, but have the perfect opportunity to show why that has been a mistake.

Two of these are Vicki Oyesola and Jayda Pechova. Oyesola has six caps to her name but Pechova does not have any, and after both had strong Netball Super League (NSL) seasons, have earned deserved spots in this Roses’ line up.

Many people have expressed negative views about how inexperienced the Roses’ squad is for this series, but there are definitely positives to be found in the situation. Anyone who watch the NSL this year knows how exciting the players in this squad can be, and with some of the most important players in the Roses getting towards the end of their careers, these players need the opportunity on the world stage so when those key players retire, those coming through have the experience to help ensure England do not drop off the pace.

England Squad for Taini Jamison Trophy 2023

Halimat Adio, Ella Bowen, Amy Carter, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Sasha Glasgow, Alice Harvey, Hannah Joseph, Elle McDonald, Berri Neil, Vicki Oyesola, Jayda Pechova, Ellie Rattu, Alicia Scholes, Emma Thacker

Taini Jamison Trophy 2023 Fixture

Sunday 24 September – Christchurch Arena, Christchurch

Wednesday 27 September – Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua

Saturday 30 September – GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton