Head coach Anna Stembridge has named a squad of 12 athletes, including 2018 Commonwealth champion Nat Metcalf, with Francesca Williams set to captain the team in Glasgow.
Williams is one of six players from England’s 2023 silver medal-winning Netball World Cup squad who will take to the court this summer, with Liv Tchine also returning and taking on the role of vice-captain alongside Amy Carter.
Goal shooter Tchine heads to her second major international tournament having shone domestically for London Pulse in the Netball Super League (NSL) and on the international stage since her debut in 2022.
Tchine is joined in attack by Eleanor Cardwell, who is selected for her second Commonwealth Games after debuting at Birmingham 2022.
Cardwell’s AO Manchester Thunder teammate Lois Pearson, meanwhile, is heading to her first major international competition.
The Bury-born attacker made her international debut in 2024 off the back of a standout NSL season, where she was named Players’ Player of the Season, and has continued to be a leading player for club and country since.
Fellow Team England debutant Sasha Glasgow completes the squad’s shooting options. Glasgow was born and raised in Australia to English parents and made her international debut in 2023.
In the midcourt, Metcalf returns for her third Games. The wing attack was part of the historic side that won gold at Gold Coast 2018, before she captained Team England at Birmingham 2022 and co-captained the Vitality Roses to a silver medal in the 2023 Netball World Cup. Metcalf returned to court this season following the birth of her daughter, Miller, last year.
She is joined by AO Manchester Thunder teammate Carter, who was a travelling reserve for the 2023 Netball World Cup and captained AO Thunder to a historic fifth NSL title last weekend.
Versatile midcourter Imo Allison is also included for her second Commonwealth Games appearance, having established herself as one of the game’s leading players across centre and wing defence.
Jess Shaw completes the midcourt, having impressed in recent domestic seasons with impressive all-action displays.
In defence, Williams is joined by Halimat Adio, Funmi Fadoju, and Jayda Pechová.
Adio heads to her first Commonwealth Games off the back of a string of strong seasons with London Pulse that have seen her become a mainstay in England’s defence.
Fadoju stars alongside Adio for London Pulse and will hope to do the same for Team England at Glasgow 2026. Fadoju has become one of the most accomplished defenders in the sport and heads to her second major international tournament following the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Pechová, 21, is the youngest member of the squad and steps up to the senior stage following a stellar campaign for Nottingham Forest.
Four further Vitality Roses athletes, Ella Clark, Alice Harvey, Tash Pavelin and Alicia Scholes, will support the team’s preparations for the Games as reserves in the lead up to the tournament.
Anna Stembridge, Team England Head Coach, said: “It is a huge honour to be able to announce the athletes who will represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Every player who puts on the red dress understands the responsibility that comes with that opportunity, and the 12 athletes named today have all earned their place through their performances, commitment, and the standards they have shown.
“The competitiveness within English netball is incredibly strong, and this squad reflects the quality and depth we have across the programme. We have a balance of players who bring valuable experience from previous major tournaments, alongside athletes who will be experiencing their first Commonwealth Games and are ready to embrace that opportunity.
“Each athlete brings different qualities to this group, and the strength of this team will come from how we combine those qualities and perform together. We’re excited to continue our preparation and represent Team England on one of the biggest stages for our sport.”
Team England netball squad:
Defence:
Halimat Adio (28, London, London Pulse)
Francesca Williams (28, Reading, West Coast Fever)
Funmi Fadoju (23, Redbridge, London Pulse)
Jayda Pechová (21, Fleet, Nottingham Forest)
Midcourt:
Imo Allison (28, Huddersfield, Queensland Firebirds)
Jess Shaw (30, Stockport, Loughborough Lightning)
Amy Carter (27, Nottingham, AO Manchester Thunder)
Nat Metcalf (33, Keighley, AO Manchester Thunder)
Attack:
Sasha Glasgow (27, Moonta, Australia, West Coast Fever)
Liv Tchine (25, London, London Pulse)
Eleanor Cardwell (31, Blackpool, AO Manchester Thunder)
Lois Pearson (26, Bury, AO Manchester Thunder)
With thanks to England Netball
