The Vitality Netball Nations Cup will see four of the world’s leading netball nations go head-to-head across the weekends of 1-2 and 8-9 February 2025 in what will be an incredible showcase of international netball.

Currently ranked second in the World Netball world rankings, England enter this series following an incredibly successful international window which has seen them beat the current world number one Australia in Australia for only the third time ever and win the Taini Jamison Trophy against then world number two New Zealand for only the second time ever, and for the first time winning in New Zealand in the first two games of the three-match test series. They then picked up a draw and a win in the first two thrilling matches of the Vitality Netball Horizon Series against world number four, the Jamaica Sunshine Girls, and will play the return leg at the end of November 2024.

The Vitality Netball Nations Cup in February 2025 will see the Vitality Roses take on world ranked number five South Africa, number six Uganda and number seven Malawi, meaning that by the end of the tournament, England will have faced all six of the seven top netball nations ranked around themselves in second place across the 2024-25 international window.

The opening weekend will be held at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, before moving to the Copper Box Arena in London for the second weekend of the series.

England Netball CEO Fran Connolly said: “Following the historic success of the Vitality Roses in the 2024 international window, we can’t wait to host the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in February 2025 as we see the team continue to take on the challenge of facing the top netball nations.

“Bringing the tournament to two different arenas in Nottingham and London will give fans across the country the fantastic opportunity to watch live elite international netball and get behind the Vitality Roses, demonstrating the growing support and interest in our sport in this country. We cannot wait to welcome Malawi, South Africa and Uganda to what I am sure will be an incredibly exciting showcase of some of the top talent in international netball.”

Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby said: “We can’t wait for this February’s international series and what will be a brilliant test against these exciting and ever-strengthening African nations.

“It will be a big challenge for us and it is important always to make sure we’re paying attention to these emerging nations who are on the rise in world netball way out from what will be the next Commonwealth Games in 2026 and Netball World Cup in 2027. They’ve always got ability and talent in abundance and when they harness that, they’re a real threat on the international stage. We’ve had some great matches against these teams in recent times, notably against South Africa in 2023, so I can’t wait for February, it will be a brilliant Vitality Netball Nations Cup.”

England Netball members can buy tickets in an exclusive pre-sale window from 10am on Wednesday 20 November with access to a 10% discount. Members will be emailed directly with a link to purchase priority tickets.*

Tickets to the Vitality Netball Nations Cup will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 28 November.

Fans in the UK will be able to watch all the games live on Sky Sports and international viewers will be able to watch on NetballPass.**

Broadcast details for viewers in Malawi, South Africa and Uganda will be confirmed nearer to the time.

*Terms and conditions apply.
**  Excluding viewers in the UK, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda.

Vitality Netball Nations Cup Schedule (FCP UK Times) 

Saturday 1 February – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
South Africa vs. Uganda – 15:00
England vs. Malawi – 17:00

Sunday 2 February – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Malawi vs. Uganda – 14:00
England vs. South Africa – 16:00

Saturday 8 February – Copper Box Arena, London
Malawi vs. South Africa – 15:00
England vs. Uganda – 17:00

Sunday 9 February – Copper Box Arena, London
Third-place play-off – 13:30
Final – 16:00

FCP = First Centre Pass

With thanks to England Netball

Khanyisa Chawane – www.claregreenphotography.com

University of Bath sporting scholar Drakeford-Lewis has been selected in a 14-strong Roses squad for the tournament, which also features reigning World Champions New Zealand and Jamaica.

Stacey Francis, a member of the University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport, and Sports Performance graduate Kadeen Corbin are also in the England squad selected by former Team Bath player and coach Jess Thirlby.

New signing Chawane is once again named in a South Africa squad also including former Blue & Gold stars Lenize Potgieter, Zanele Vimbela and World Netballer of the Year 2019 Karla Pretorius.

The Nations Cup begins at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Sunday, January 19 when England face New Zealand and South Africa take on Jamaica. The action then moves to Arena Birmingham on Wednesday, January 22 where the Roses meet South Africa ahead of Jamaica’s showdown with New Zealand.

Sophie Drakeford-Lewis – www.claregreenphotography.com

A busy weekend at the Copper Box Arena in London sees the concluding round-robin matches played on Saturday, January 25 before the ranking matches on Sunday, January 26.

Team Bath’s Imogen Allison and Summer Artman have also been selected in an England A squad that will face New Zealand, South Africa and the Roses in behind-closed-doors training matches during the build-up to the Nations Cup.

Allison, a Sport & Exercise Science student who is supported by a Kings Sports Scholarship, will co-captain a squad that also includes University of Bath alumna Yasmin Parsons and fellow former Team Bath mid-court player Jess Shaw.

Courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office via Matchtight Ltd.