Lightning kick-off their Superleague campaign tonight when they take on Yorkshire Jets at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. It will be the first chance for Karen Atkinson to see her new squad in competitive action after a successful pre-season, which has seen strong performances against Surrey Storm, England U19′s, and the England Men’s Netball team.
Rachel Henry will captain the side on her Lightning debut alongside Vice-Captains Rachel Forbes, and Lauren Steadman who is in her 5th season as a member of the squad.
Also likely to feature are South African Captain Maryka Holtzhausen, Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni, who make up the Lightning overseas imports for 2015.
Loughborough University students Hannah Joseph, Flo Edwards, Fran Desmond, Olivia Mason and Niamh Cooper have also been selected in the squad for tonight’s clash.
New recruit Rebekah Airey and Vanessa Walker, who has returned for a second stint at Lightning will also be looking to impress Atkinson and Olivia Murphy.
England U19 international Lauren Massey will also make the trip to Yorkshire, after missing the whole of last season through injury.
Head Coach Karen Atkinson was in the commentary box for Sky Sports on Monday when Manchester Thunder defeated Surrey Storm, and can’t wait for the Netball Superleague season to begin. Yorkshire Jets new signing Lottysha Cato will make her debut for the home side after impressing for Celtic Dragons last season, and Lauren Potter will captain the Yorkshire team for the first time in her home city.
