Nottingham Forest has announced its playing squad for the Club’s inaugural season in the Netball Super League 2025.
Led by England Roses legend and new Head Coach Chelsea Pitman (pictured above), Forest Netball will join the country’s best in competing in the Netball Super League from 2025, with all home games to be played at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
In goal defence, they announce the arrival of Falidah Kadonda and Jayda Pechová.
This will be Kadonda’s inaugurate season in the NSL, having been an integral part of the Ugandan international team and named Player of the Match when the She-Cranes faced Australia in the 2022 Fast5 World Series.
Pechová, an England Rose at the age of just 20 years old, made her debut for her country back in 2023 against New Zealand and was part of the winning squad in the 2023 South Africa series.
Forest Netball’s defence has been bolstered with the arrivals of Natasha Pavelin and Niamh Cooper.
Pavelin, who joins from Team Bath, arrives with a list of international accolades, including playing for England in the Fast5 World Series two years ago.
Cooper, an Irish international who plays in Wing Defence, is a seasoned professional who made her NSL debut back in 2014 with Team Northumbria.
In centre court, bringing speed, strength and stamina are Hannah Leighton and Iona Christian.
Both Scotland internationals, Leighton began her NSL career in 2021 with Wasps, and adds depth to this Forest squad with her versatility of also being able to play Wing Defence.
Christian, who has been playing in the top-flight since 2017 represented her country in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, also brings versatility to the squad with her ability to play at Centre and Wing Attack.
Brie Grierson completes the trio at centre court. Bringing further NSL experience with London Pulse who finished third in the previous campaign, her positions of Wing Attack and Goal Attack give the squad a lot of options for the year ahead.
In the attacking third, they begin with Rhea Dixon. A back-to-back NSL champion with Loughborough Lightning with six years in the league behind her, Rhea plays both shooting positions and is effective in centre court too as a Wing Attack, and was named MVP in this year’s Netball Super League Grand Final.
Freya Henshall signed her first full NSL Contract with the Reds, having been a training partner with London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning in their winning campaign last season.
Completing Forest Netball’s squad for 2025 is Rolene Streutker. A Goal Shooter, Streutker is set for her first year playing in the UK having previously represented the Melbourne Mavericks in the Australian Super Netball League.
Streutker was also a key player in the SPAR Proteas, representing South Africa in the 2022 Test Series against England where she was named Player of the Match.
Chelsea Pitman’s squad will come together for the first time in October to begin preparations ahead of the 2025 season commencing next March. Nottingham Forest is incredibly proud to be embarking on a new adventure under the ownership of Evangelos Marinakis as the Club looks to develop a more diverse and inclusive sporting portfolio.
Confirmed Forest Netball squad for 2025 Netball Super League:
Falidah Kadonda
Jayda Pechová
Natasha Pavelin
Niamh Cooper
Hannah Leighton
Iona Christian
Brie Grierson
Rhea Dixon
Freya Henshall
Rolene Streutker
Nottingham Forest Netball Head Coach, Chelsea Pitman said: “I am thrilled that we can finally announce our 10 NSL players that are part of the inaugural Nottingham Forest Netball team.
“The recruitment window is an intense period for everyone involved in the sport with every player being out of contract but I am delighted with the 10 we have secured.
“I am grateful that they have taken a leap of faith in me as a coach and have chosen to invest in the direction we want to head in, here at Forest. It’s exciting times for all involved.
“Every single player has their own unique style on court and as we develop combinations together, we will be able to produce a really dynamic, exciting brand of netball.
“I want these athletes to feel how special this moment is for them and for us as a club.”
With thanks to Nottingham Forest Netball
