Round 13 of the Netball Super League (NSL) gets underway today. With all four teams who will be playing in the Soft & Gentle Play-Offs confirmed, the race for a spot in the Soft & Gentle Major Semi-FInal is now on.
With all four teams vying for a place in the Soft & Gentle Grand Final, this week the NSL released more details of what fans can expect on the day:
Headlined by a world-class netball clash that never disappoints, the event will be a celebration of the sport that fuses netball with music, fashion, art and more, bringing fans closer than ever to their favourite players.
Two family fan zones featuring a live DJ and music, big screen and main stage entertainment, opportunities to meet players from all eight NSL teams, pop up activations and games, food and drink stalls, merchandise and the opportunity to give netball a try will descend on Etihad Campus from midday.
And, inspired by the city’s musical roots, the entertainment will continue in the arena, with an extended half time break planned for an unmissable half time show performance.
Find a look ahead to key talking points ahead of round 13 below:
Nottingham Forest Netball vs AO Manchester Thunder
Friday 22 May
First Centre Pass:
Venue: Motorpoint Arena
Fourth plays first as the table currently stands in this Friday night clash, where every point counts as both teams will be looking to finish in the top two spots by the end of the regular season.
Nottingham Forest haven’t yet beaten AO Thunder who took both the wins in 2025, and a 25 goal win in round five earlier this year. Buoyed with confidence after confirming their top four spot last weekend, is now the time for Nottingham Forest to pick up their first win over the North West side?
Forest midcourter Iona Christian knows her opposition well, starting her career in the Manchester Thunder pathway and spending the 2023 season representing the North West side.
Both of Forest’s new recruits for 2026 are also familiar with AO Thunder. Young shooting talent Anya Williams is a product of the AO Thunder Pathway and Ané Retief stepped in as a temporary replacement player for AO Thunder during the 2025 season. Both made their NSL debuts for Karen Greig’s side, Williams in 2024 and Retief just last year.
With 988 Amex Super Shots scored so far this season, could this be the game that sees the 1000th Amex Super Shot? If so, it’ll mark an incredible £20,000 in the Amex Super Shot fund, powerfully backing grassroots netball.
Head Coach
Nottingham Forest Netball: Chelsea Pitman
AO Thunder: Karen Greig
Captain
Nottingham Forest Netball: Niamh Cooper
AO Thunder: Amy Carter
Loughborough Lightning vs NIC Leeds Rhinos
Date: Saturday 23 May
First Centre Pass:
Venue: Sir David Wallace Arena
Big news came from the Loughborough Lightning camp this week as Vitality Roses star Beth Durant (née Cobden) announced that she will retire from netball at the end of the 2026 season. Read more about Beth’s decision and her incredible career here.
NIC Leeds Rhinos have played Loughborough Lightning 12 times and are yet to get a win against the East Midlands side. Their smallest losing margin was by eight goals, back in 2021.
Loughborough Lightning shooting star Ella Clark’s 150th NSL appearance will be marked at the end of this game. Clark has three NSL titles to her name with Lightning, including the 2023 title which saw her take on a coaching role whilst unable to play due to injury.
NIC Rhinos defender Marlene Lange will take on her former team in this game after signing for the Rhinos in March from Loughborough Lightning’s NXT Gen squad.
Micourter Bella Baylis will also take on her former club in this game. She spent three years at Loughborough Lightning where she won back-to-back NSL titles in 2023 and 2024.
Fans will get to see stars of the international stage go to battle as Lightning’s shooting star Samantha Wallace-Joseph from Trinidad and Tobago, takes on a Rhinos defensive circle featuring South African star Sanmarie Visser.
Shooting sensation Samantha Wallace-Joseph could hit 100 Amex Super Shots in this game, she’s currently sat at 98, so only needs two more to hit the milestone!
Head Coach
Loughborough Lightning: Vic Burgess
NIC Leeds Rhinos: Lauren Palmer
Captain
Loughborough Lightning: Nat Panagarry and Beth Durant
NIC Leeds Rhinos: Paige Reed
The last time these two sides met resulted in a dramatic one-goal win for reigning champions London Pulse. Can LexisNexis Dragons push them all the way and take the win over the London side in this match?
Both teams will enter this game high on confidence. London Pulse secured a win over local rivals London Mavericks in front of a 4,600 strong crowd at Wembley in round 12. Meanwhile LexisNexis Dragons have had one of their most successful seasons ever, currently sitting fifth in the league table after finishing in eighth place last year.
There’s international talent to look forward to across the court in this battle. South African stars Kamogelo Maseko (Pulse) and Khanyisa Chawane (Dragons) will go from international teammates to NSL rivals, and adding to the international talent on display are Australian import players, midcourter Tyler Orr for London Pulse, and LexisNexis Dragons defender Jacqui Newton.
Head Coach
London Pulse: Sam Bird
LexisNexis Dragons: Reinga Bloxham
Captain
London Pulse: Zara Everitt
LexisNexis Dragons: Beth Dyke
London Mavericks vs Birmingham Panthers
Date: Sunday 24 May
First Centre Pass: 18:00
Venue: Essex Sports Arena
London Mavericks may have missed out on a top four spot, but they’ll be looking to continue some strong form after pushing defending champions London Pulse for all four quarters in round 12.
Meanwhile, Mkoloma’s Panthers side will be looking to move from the bottom of the table, with a win against Mavericks giving them the opportunity to leapfrog Rhinos if they are beaten by Lightning on Saturday.
Panthers shooter Kira Rothwell will face her former club in this game. Rothwell, who grew up in London, made the move to Panthers for 2026 after three years in the capital with Mavericks. Off the court, Rothwell is also studying to become a doctor, balancing elite sport with a demanding medical degree.
Head Coaches Sonia Mkoloma (Panthers) and Tamsin Greenway (Mavericks) know each other well. Not only did they play togetherer for England, but just last summer, Greenway assisted Mkoloma as she led England U21s to a bronze medal at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
Head Coach
London Mavericks: Tamsin Greenway
Birmingham Panthers: Sonia Mkoloma
Captain
London Mavericks: Ellie Rattu
Birmingham Panthers: Betsy Creak
With thanks to England Netball
