The Board brings together an exceptional group of senior leaders from across sport, governance, legal, and business sectors, each appointed to Non-Executive Director (NED) roles to guide the region’s ambition to develop a strong and compelling case to re-enter the Netball Super League (NSL) as and when an opportunity arises.

The South West has long been recognised for its strong netball culture, deep club networks, and thriving participation base. The creation of this Board represents a major milestone in the region’s collective push to restore its presence within the elite netball landscape.

The newly appointed NEDs include:

Millie Broadbent, Head of Legal and Governance at Commonwealth Sport, bringing deep experience in regulatory frameworks, major events governance, and international sport integrity.

Jonathan Finch, Director of Women’s Cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, bringing extensive high-performance sport leadership and strategic development expertise.

Matthew Joy of JMP, marketing leader and creative strategist with a track record in growing sports brands and shaping impactful, fan-led campaigns across community and elite sport.

Sue Porto, an experienced CEO and Non-Exec Director across multiple sectors, Sue brings a wealth of leadership and business development expertise as well as a passion for sport and is a GB Age Group triathlete.

They will join existing Board members Stuart Doughty (Chair), Claire Ferguson (EDI) and a representative from the University of Bath.

The Board is tasked with shaping and delivering a comprehensive campaign and submission that will demonstrate the South West’s readiness to host elite netball once again. This work will encompass community engagement, talent pathway alignment, venue and event feasibility, commercial and investment opportunities, and long-term sustainability planning.

Stuart Doughty welcomed the appointments, stating: “This new Board has been crafted on the need for specialist skills and experience, and an unwavering ambition within each person to return netball in the South West to the NSL. With a proud history of developing players who go on to compete at the highest levels, our region’s commitment to nurturing talent is clear. Our next step is to establish a strong business model that matches this support and captures the South West’s unrivalled passion for the sport.”

The Board will collaborate closely with the University of Bath as the original rights holder, regional sporting bodies, local authorities, universities, clubs, and community groups to ensure the submission reflects the full breadth of support and capability across the region.

As the current custodians of England Netball’s Player Pathway in the South West, delivered under the Team Bath Netball banner, the University of Bath has played an active role in establishing the Board. It will continue to provide interim logistical, administrative and marketing support while the Board progresses toward becoming self-sufficient in the near future.

Claire Nelson, MD of the Netball Super League, commented: “We welcome conversations with any interested parties that aspire to join the NSL, and the formation of this strategic Board is an important step in the South West’s long-term plan to bring elite netball back to the region. The Board brings together an impressive mix of expertise in sport, governance, and business, and we look forward to seeing the development and progress it will make in delivering this vital work.”

Karen Jones, Netball South West, added: “Seeing this Board come together is an important moment for netball in the South West. Our region has always been built on strong partnerships and it’s that spirit of connection that has kept netball thriving here for so many years. I know that our community will fully support the Board as it works to bring elite netball back to where it belongs.”

Over the coming months, the Board will launch a series of engagement activities, ensuring athletes, volunteers, clubs, and supporters can contribute to shaping the region’s vision. The final submission will present a compelling, evidence-based case that highlights the South West as a dynamic, inclusive, and future-focused home for elite netball.

Lead photo shows the new strategic Board: (From left) Matthew Joy, Jonathan Finch, Millie Broadbent, Claire Ferguson, Sue Porto and Stuart Doughty (Chair)

With thanks to Team Bath

Olympic medallist Wilde teamed up with Sarah McKay, Hannah Scott and Lola Anderson to finish runners-up to the Netherlands in a fast-paced women’s quadruple sculls final.

The men’s quad of Dafydd, Callum Dixon, Matt Haywood and Rory Harris then battled with Italy throughout an entertaining final before being edged into second place.

“Credit to Italy, they were better than us today,” said Dafydd, a Sports Management and Coaching graduate who, like Wilde, only took up rowing while studying at the University.

“We came in wanting to win and we knew we could if everything went well and we raced our best. Unfortunately, our best today just wasn’t quite good enough.”

The silver medals capped memorable World Championships debuts for Dafydd and Wilde, who both began their rowing careers with the University-based South West Performance Development Academy (PDA), formerly known as the GB Rowing Team Start programme, and represented Crew Bath in student rowing competition.

Jamie Gare, another graduate of both the University and the South West PDA, was a reserve for the men’s squad and stepped into the men’s double scull as a replacement for Aidan Thompson on medical grounds, helping Tobias Schröder finish runner-up in the C final to finish 14th overall.

The current crop of University of Bath rowers has also been enjoying success on the international stage as Bill Whiteley Sporting Scholar Ella Fullman, Beatrice Hughes, Rebekah Court and Freya Ridge won women’s quad gold at last weekend’s European Universities Rowing Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

There was another podium place in the men’s quad as Bath’s Henley Royal Regatta Prince of Wales crew of Jack Norton, William Stradling, Ben Furley and Luka Halozan Hayley pushed across the line to snatch bronze from Germany’s Tech Uni of Dresden. This meant Bath finished seventh overall in the EUSA medal table.

The South West GB Performance Development Academy is always on the lookout for athletes with no prior rowing experience, aged between 14 and 22, to recruit and develop into Olympians. The guideline minimum height for those applying for testing is above 5ft 8in (176cm) for females and 6ft (185cm) for males.

The next set of trials are taking place at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Saturday 27th September at 11am. Visit teambath.com/rowing to find out how to apply for trials.

With thanks to Team Bath

Lilia Davies and Madison Sims are reserves for Wales and the England squad features Bath sporting scholars Alanna Pullen, Sophie Kelly and Jayda Pechova who have all previously represented Team Bath in NXT Gen or Super League.

Natalie Roddy, Team Bath Netball Academy Head Coach, said: “We are delighted to have so many athletes representing the competing nations at the World Youth Cup. These selections are so well deserved and we look forward to seeing our athletes in action.”

The World Youth Cup is the pinnacle netball competition for emerging players aged 21 and under, and 20 nations are competing at the 2025 edition.

Carr, who studies Management at the University, made several appearances for Team Bath during the inaugural NXT Gen League season and, in addition to her World Youth Cup call-ups, has been selected as a training partner for the Welsh Feathers 2025-26 senior squad.

Compatriots Davies and Sims impressed for Team Bath in the Netball Performance League (NPL) last season, in the U17 and U19 age groups respectively.

Chemistry student Smyth, who plays GS and GA, and mid-courter Maynard are both part of the Team Bath Player Development Programme (PDP), in the U21 and Senior squads respectively, while defender Shaw accesses Team Bath’s Athlete Development Centre (ADC) in Bath.

Sports Performance student Pullen, who starred as Team Bath finished runners-up in the 2025 NXT Gen League campaign, and Business student Kelly are in an England squad looking to match or better the Roses’ bronze-medal placing when the tournament was last staged in 2017.

They, along with Carr and Smyth, have also represented the University of Bath in national student competition, helping the 1sts reach the BUCS Championship Final this year.

Pechova, a Sports Performance student who was named as Super League Young Player of the Year 2025 following an excellent campaign with Nottingham Forest, has been called up to the England squad as an injury replacement for Rihanna Luke.

With thanks to Team Bath

Trendell Sporting Scholar Jayda Pechova is a non-travelling reserve for the tournament, which features the top 20 teams in the world and sees England take on Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Tonga and Wales in the group stages.

Pullen, a dynamic wing-attack and goal-attack, was a key figure for Team Bath as they finished runners-up in the inaugural NXT Gen League season. She recently completed a Sports Performance foundation degree at the University, where she was supported by an Alumni Fund Scholarship.

Goal-attack Kelly also enjoyed a domestic season to remember as she helped London Pulse win the Netball Super League title for a first time. She has recommitted to Pulse for the 2026 season and will continue her sporting career alongside a Management degree at the University, supported by a Bill Whiteley Scholarship.

Both Pullen and Kelly were part of the University’s student netball 1sts which reached the 2025 BUCS National Championship Final.

The 2025 Netball World Youth Cup is the first staging of the prestigious competition since 2017 where an England squad featuring former Bath sporting scholars Imogen Allison and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis won bronze.

Visit teambath.com/scholarships to find out how the University of Bath supports high-performing student-athletes.

With thanks to Team Bath

Court 5 of the indoor tennis hall was transformed into a presentation space for the event, complete with red carpet, stage and table space for more than 80 players, family members and coaches to enjoy a celebratory gathering.

Vincent Fletcher, who recently won his first ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors title in Pretoria, was voted as Players’ Player of the Year by his team-mates, while James Story – Wales’ top ranked male player in singles and doubles – took the Coaches’ Player of the Year accolade.

Nikol Metodieva was named as Most Improved Player, Victoria-Ariana Florea won the Achiever Award and Millen Hurrion received the Champion of Culture honour for his contribution to the Team Bath Tennis environment.

Gigi Ifil, Grace Bertrand and Sam Leather were also presented with graduation honours as they progress from the U18 Performance Academy into the senior ranks. David Sammel, renowned coach and Team Bath Tennis Performance Consultant, was the guest speaker.

Team Bath Tennis provides a pathway – supported by Team Bath sponsors Bath Building Society – that can take a player from their first experience of tennis all the way to the professional game. The STV is home to a Performance Mini Tennis Programme; a Regional Performance Development Centre (RPDC), delivered in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for 10-14-year-olds; an international U18 Academy; a student performance squad; and a Pro Team playing professional events worldwide, including Grand Slams.

There is also a thriving community tennis programme, delivering coaching and classes for everyone from parents and toddlers through to adults, and the courts at Team Bath – eight indoor and eight outdoor – are available for public hire.

Visit teambath.com/tennis to find out more.

With thanks to Team Bath

Lily Jones, Phoebe Maslen, Katherine Mansfield and Lottie Robinson with Poppy Tydeman, who was Team Bath’s MVP in their win against Leeds Rhinos.
Photo: Anna Barclay.

Shooter Katherine Mansfield and defender Lottie Robinson were also recognised for their contributions to Team Bath’s excellent second-placed finish during the inaugural NXT Gen League season.

Awards were presented to players from six squads in front of more than 1,000 spectators during The Big #BlueAndGold Bash, the end-of-season celebration of netball across the South West which featured, as its centrepiece, Team Bath’s decisive 56-44 victory over Leeds Rhinos in their last match of the NXT Gen campaign.

Jones won an online vote for Fans’ Most Valuable Player and Maslen was selected by Natalie Roddy and Anya Le Monnier as Coaches’ Player of the Year. Mansfield, who stepped up to play a key role in attack while Jones was injured, took the Most Improved Player accolade and vice-captain Robinson – dubbed the “ultimate team player” – received the Spirit of Bath Award.

Fans’ Most Valuable Player Lily Jones with Baroness Sue Campbell, England Netball Chair.
Photo: Anna Barclay.

Those awards were presented by Baroness Sue Campbell, England Netball Chair of the Board, while Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby returned to the club she represented as both player and coach to present awards to Team Bath’s age-group squads and Player Development Programmes (PDP).

Ane De Wet was also officially presented with the NPL U19 Player of the Year Award, recognising her standout achievements as Team Bath achieved a top-three finish in the national league competition.

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

With thanks to Team Bath

The result – Team Bath’s sixth win in seven matches – keeps them a point clear of Leeds Rhinos, who they face during the centrepiece to The Big #BlueAndGold Bash at the Team Bath Arena on Sunday 15th June (3pm).

Rhinos have a game in hand, against Cardiff Dragons this coming weekend, but even if they win that Team Bath know that victory by five goals or more in the final match would guarantee a top-two finish.

Thunder were one of only two teams that Team Bath hadn’t beaten during the 2025 season, having lost by a single goal during March’s reverse fixture in Bristol, but the Blue & Gold were in control throughout at the Belle Vue Arena.

They had a 14-12 lead after the first quarter which was stretched to 23-20 by half-time before they accelerated away in the third period as several impactful changes helped to extend the gap to 37-26. All 12 players took to the court for Team Bath, who won the final quarter 13-10 to wrap up another eye-catching victory.

Most Valuable Player for a second week running was Phoebe Maslen, who has been named alongside team-mate Alanna Pullen in the England U21 training squad for this September’s Netball World Youth Cup.

Team Bath will have their biggest crowd of the season behind them for the decisive match against Rhinos, with the Team Bath Arena capacity being doubled and nearly 800 tickets already snapped up.

The end-of-season celebration event will also feature on-court award presentations for six Team Bath squads, including NXT Gen, and fun off-court activities plus a curtain-raiser U15s match between Team Bath and Leeds Rhinos. Doors open at 12.30pm and tickets are available at netball.teambath.com/tickets.

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

With thanks to Team Bath

The teams went into Saturday’s match on equal points with Pulse, who had won February’s reverse fixture at the Team Bath Arena, sitting second on goal difference. However, Team Bath, with four wins and one extra-time defeat from their previous five matches, were the side with momentum and they carried that into a first quarter which finished with them leading 17-14.

They stretched their advantage to 32-27 at half-time and – inspired by a Most Valuable Player display from England U21 centre Phoebe Maslen – fought determinedly to hold Pulse at arm’s length in the third quarter, the hosts only able to reduce the deficit by one to 45-41. Team Bath then decisively put the result beyond doubt, winning the final quarter 16-11 to wrap up another notable victory.

The Blue & Gold are now a point clear of third-placed Leeds Rhinos, who they face in the last match of the season on Sunday 15th June (3pm). That fixture is the centrepiece of The Big #BlueAndGold Bash, an end-of-season celebration of Team Bath’s players, pathway, region and fans. The Team Bath Arena capacity has been doubled for the event and tickets, which provide access to the full afternoon of activities, are available at netball.teambath.com/tickets.

Before then, Team Bath will look to strengthen their grip on second spot when they head to Manchester Thunder on Friday 30th May (5pm) for their final away match of the 2025 campaign.

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

Match stats

London Pulse starting combination: GK Ellie Sadler, GD Isla May, WD Zaneya Cunningham, C Ally Housley, WA Jada Autumn, GA Evie Watts, GS Hannah Gibson. Impact players: Giselle Burnett, Ella Crew, Hannah Passmore, Rheanna Thomas-Grant, Tayla Wright-Brown.

Team Bath Netball starting combination: GK Scarlett Creasey, GD Daisy Harrison, WD Poppy Tydeman, C Phoebe Maslen, WA Alanna Pullen, GA Charlotte Watts, GS Lily Jones. Impact players: Lottie Robinson, Ellie Ervine, Ellen Morgan, Dani Carr, Katherine Mansfield.

Quarter scores (Team Bath second): Q1 14-17; Q2 27-32; Q3 41-45; Q4 52-61.

Most Valuable Player: Phoebe Maslen.

With thanks to Team Bath

The Blue & Gold shrugged off the disappointment of seeing a big early lead overturned as they went toe to toe with the title favourites, eventually coming out on top 52-50 after going to extra-time for the third time in four matches.

Photo: Josh Le Feuvre

Team Bath were fired up for a Saturday showdown with their old rivals and, spearheaded by captain Lily Jones – who was on the bench as a temporary injury replacement for Manchester Thunder in Sunday’s Super League victory over Birmingham Panthers – they raced into a 16-10 lead after the first quarter.

Lightning, who featured former Team Bath Super League player Molly Hole in defence, had recorded a big victory in the reverse fixture and gradually worked their way back into the contest, cutting the deficit to 26-25 at half-time.

A fiercely-contested second half continued in the same vein, with Team Bath maintaining a narrow 38-37 lead after the third quarter before the 60-minute buzzer went with the teams locked at 48-48.

That meant extra-time again and, with a vocal crowd roaring them on, it was Team Bath who managed to force the required two-goal margin, Alanna Pullen netting the decisive goal to spark big celebrations.

Goal-keeper Scarlett Creasey was named as Team Bath’s Most Valuable Player and was presented with a bouquet from Flowers of Bath by Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath.

Third-placed Team Bath now face two crucial away trips, to second-placed London Pulse on Saturday 24th May and Manchester Thunder on Friday 30th May, before concluding their season with a home match against fellow high-flyers Leeds Rhinos.

That game, on Sunday 15th June, is part of The Big #BlueAndGold Bash – a day celebrating Team Bath’s players, pathway, region and fans. As well as the centrepiece match at 3pm, there will be an U15 curtain-raiser at 12.45pm against Rhinos plus on-court award presentations for six of Team Bath’s age-group squads, from U17 through to NXT Gen.

Photo: Josh Le Feuvre

There will also be a fan zone with autograph and selfie opportunities, shooting competitions and much more, with all activities included in the Rhinos NXT Gen match ticket. Visit netball.teambath.com/tickets to purchase.

Lisa Pagett, Team Bath Netball Manager, said: “It is fitting the celebration is taking place on 15th June as that marks one year since our last Super League fixture. There was plenty of uncertainty at the time surrounding netball, not just at Team Bath but across the South West, but the past 12 months have shown the passion, support and love for our sport right across the region is stronger than ever.

“We’ve had a record number of applications for our pathway over the past year and some 300 netballers have benefitted from the expert guidance, on and off court, of our excellent coaches and support staff.

“It was important we ensured the fans could join in the celebrations too. They have really thrown their support behind us this year, particularly our NXT Gen League fixtures where tickets have been snapped up, and that incredible backing has ensured Team Bath Netball remain impossible to ignore.”

Team Bath Netball are supported by Bath Building Society and Rengen Developments, who are both overall Team Bath Partners, and Bath Recreation Limited. Flyhawk supply Team Bath Netball’s performance clothing and off-court apparel.

With thanks to Team Bath

Franco, who began studying and training at the University of Bath in October, was selected for the April accolade after finishing a fantastic fourth for British Triathlon – just four seconds outside the medals – at the European U23 Duathlon Championships in Poland. Her time of 57:32 was also good enough for a top-10 spot in the senior rankings.

She had qualified for the Europeans by winning individual and team gold for the University at November’s BUCS Duathlon Championships, and enjoyed more medal success in the Blue & Gold during the recent May Bank Holiday Weekend as she won women’s silver at the BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships in Tavistock.

“It’s really a huge honour to be selected as Athlete of the Month here at the University of Bath, amongst some of the best athletes in the world,” said Franco, one of more than 160 student-athletes supported in their dual careers by the Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme.

“A year ago, when I was just beginning my journey into triathlon and choosing my PhD in Bath, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be representing my country on an elite stage and be a serious contender in a championship race.

“I started here back in October and did BUCS Duathlon the following month. It’s all kind of skyrocketed from there as that win earned me a place at the Europeans where I finished fourth, which was honestly completely unexpected. The race was intense, fast, and unforgiving—everything you’d expect at the elite level – and I gave everything I had to stay competitive right to the finish.

“It was such an honour to race with the British team and be amongst some of the best athletes. It’s been a really great experience having such a successful season and it’s only the beginning!”

Franco joined Bath to progress both her academic and sporting careers. She is a Research Programme in Health PhD student, researching the relationship between muscle loss and body fat in ageing, and does her running, swimming and strength and conditioning training at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, home to a British Triathlon Performance Pathway Centre. Cycling takes place at the nearby Odd Down Sports Ground.

“Joining the Bath Triathlon Centre has been the biggest game changer of my sporting career,” said Franco, who is coached by Jack Hall. “The coach and athletes have welcomed me with open arms, made training really fun and they’ve been tremendous in getting me to the next level.

“It’s completely different to how I was training before and I can’t be more grateful to have this professional and individualised training set-up while also being in an amazing group. Thank you so much to everyone that has got me here.”

The Athlete of the Month award celebrates the achievements, commitment and dedication of student-athletes on the Breakthrough Programme, which provides bespoke support designed to help student-athletes maximise their academic and sporting potential. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year open on Friday 30th May, visit www.teambath.com/breakthrough-programme for more information.

Both the award and the Breakthrough Programme are supported by Team Bath partners Rengen, whose headquarters are based in Argyle Street in Bath city centre. They have extensive experience in the development of boutique purpose-built student accommodation, residential accommodation and commercial units. Find out more by visiting rengendevelopments.com and rengenlettings.com

Lead Photo shows Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month Isabelle Franco (centre) with University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley and Performance Sport Officer Sarah Collin

With thanks to Team Bath