The Vitality Roses will play Australia in a three-match test series on Thursday 19 September at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on Sunday 22 September at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena and on Wednesday 25 September at Bendigo Stadium.

They will then travel to New Zealand to face the Silver Ferns in the Taini Jamison Trophy on Sunday 29 September at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, on Wednesday 2 October at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and on Sunday 6 October at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.

The squad selected for this international tour features eight athletes who were part of the history-making squad who took England to their first ever Netball World Cup final in 2023. Meanwhile, Lois Pearson has the opportunity to make her Vitality Roses debut, with this marking her first inclusion in a senior Vitality Roses squad. The squad also sees the return of 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Beth Cobden who made her last appearance for England in 2022 against Australia and returned to the Vitality Roses programme for the 2024-25 season after a year away from the programme.

The Vitality Roses last met both Australia and New Zealand at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup (VNNC) in January 2024 where England were narrowly defeated 59-61 by Australia in the group stage match, followed by a 49-69 loss in the final. Against New Zealand, England picked up a 58-57 win in a thrilling match that was decided in the final seconds.

Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby commented: “I’m both excited and curious to see what this evolving Vitality Roses squad can do against the world number one and two as we see familiar names and a potential Vitality Roses debutant alike earning selection for these upcoming series.

“With the Netball World Cup in 2027 firmly in our minds, we continue to look to grab these opportunities to test ourselves individually and collectively as we aim to know and close the gap against our toughest opponents. We have familiar and experienced players, some still transitioning from what has been an impact role to a starting seven role since the Netball World Cup, as well as those with few or no caps as yet against these nations. We also have a potential Vitality Roses debutant in Lois Pearson after impressing in this year’s Netball Super League. There’s so much to be excited about in this squad, not least the welcome return of Beth Cobden after a year out of the Vitality Roses programme in 2023. Her character and leadership add strength to a team full of leaders across all areas of the court.

“We have made huge progress over the last few years, proving we can go toe-to-toe and beat these world leading teams in standalone performances, but we know we need to find a way to compete for longer and sustain and elevate our performance levels game on game, and there’s no better opportunity to do that than these back-to-back series.”

Vitality Roses squad for the Australia Test Series and the Taini Jamison Trophy:

More information on the broadcast plans for these matches will be shared closer to the time.

The full list of fixtures are as follows:

Thursday 19 September, 10:00am BST (7:00pm AEST) – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Sunday 22 September, 7:00am BST (4:00pm AEST) – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Wednesday 25 September, 10:00am BST (7:00pm AEST) – Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo
Sunday 29 September, 7:35am BST (7:35pm NZDT) – The Trusts Arena, Auckland
Wednesday 2 October, 7:35am BST (7:35pm NZDT) – Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Sunday 6 October, 7:35am BST (7:35pm NZDT) – ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

With thanks to England Netball

This test series will see the world number one ranked Australian Diamonds host the world number three ranked Vitality Roses across three different locations which will be revealed by Netball Australia over the coming weeks. The final game will be played at Bendigo Stadium on Wednesday 25 September at 10:00am BST (7:00pm AEST).

Following the series, the Vitality Roses will travel to New Zealand to play the Silver Ferns on Sunday 29 September at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, on Wednesday 2 October at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and on Sunday 6 October at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.

The three-match test series against Australia is a continuation of the building rivalry between the two nations, who have faced each other in two tournament finals over the past year. The two sides last met at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup (VNNC) in January 2024 where England were narrowly defeated 59-61 by Australia in the group stage match, followed by a 49-69 loss in the final. The silver medal at this tournament followed on from the Vitality Roses’ history-making second place finish at the Netball World Cup last summer. Despite a 45-61 loss in the final, the Vitality Roses defeated the Australian Diamonds 56-55 in the group stage match at the Netball World Cup in a thrilling game that was decided in the final seconds.

Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby said: “A three-match series against the Diamonds is a welcome challenge and helps to continue the momentum we are starting to build against the world number ones, but there is still much work to do if we are to close the gap between us both. Making finals against the Diamonds, most recently at the World Cup and Nations Cup, has been an important and historic step for us but we now need to make that a habit and an expectation we have of ourselves. More importantly we need to compete better and more consistently once we earn those opportunities.

“This series presents such a great opportunity to test ourselves in back-to-back matches as we aim to elevate our performance levels game-on-game as well as stand up mentally against a team whose natural habitat is not only making finals but winning them. Not only are we looking forward to and embracing the on-court challenge, but playing away from home in the Australians’ back yard will be a great rehearsal for the Netball World Cup in Sydney in 2027 and a great experience for some of our fast-rising talent who will be competing for places in this competition. We look forward to strengthening the rivalry between the Roses and the Diamonds and will soon turn our attention to preparing the team after their domestic campaigns.”

Details on the times and locations of the first two tests, a squad announcement and more information on the broadcast plans for these matches will be shared closer to the time.

With thanks to England Netball

Tash Pavelin Photo: Team Bath

Goal-defence Pavelin is one of three players elevated to the full-time programme from the Future Roses, whose newly-announced contingent includes Blue & Gold Super League stars Sophie Kelly and Phoebe Maslen.

University of Bath student Pechova, supported by a Trendell Sporting Scholarship, continues in the Vitality Roses programme for a second successive year having made her senior England debut during last September’s tour of New Zealand.

She has forged a good defensive partnership in the Super League with Pavelin, who missed the 2023 season with a knee injury but has come back strongly this year – ranked in the league’s top-ten performers for intercepts, gains and deflections – and started every game.

Also promoted from the Future Roses is University of Bath alumna Paige Reed, who is spearheading Manchester Thunder’s Super League title push. Former Team Bath players Imogen Allison and Jess Shaw are also in the 23-strong Vitality Roses squad announced by Head Coach and recent University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport inductee Jess Thirlby.

Jayda Pechova Photo: Team Bath

Sophie Kelly Photo: Team Bath

The Vitality Roses programme is underpinned by the Future Roses programme, designed to develop the next generation of England players through exposure to high-level training and international match play experience.

Team Bath mid-courter Maslen continues in the programme for a second year and is joined by goal-attack Kelly, who took a step back from international commitments during the current season to focus on her Management degree at the University of Bath where she is supported by a Bill Whiteley Scholarship.

Maslen said: “It’s really exciting to continue in the Future Roses programme. I’ve learnt and developed a lot over the past year with the strength and conditioning support and getting to train amongst the country’s top young players. We also train a lot with the senior Roses, particularly when they have matches coming up, and that has been great exposure to top-class players.”

Cardiff Dragons shooter and Criminology student Hannah Passmore, supported by a Buchan Jones Scholarship, also joins the Future Roses programme for the first time.

With thanks to the Team Bath Press Office

The 18-year-old defender joins fellow Blue & Gold star Imogen Allison in the 24-strong England programme, while fellow teenager Phoebe Maslen and Tash Pavelin have both been selected for the Future Roses development squad.

Pechova, who is supported by a Trendell Sporting Scholarship as she combines her netball career with studying Sports Performance, has started the majority of Super League games for Team Bath this season and is ranked in the top five nationally for turnovers and interceptions.

She is one of five new faces in the Vitality Roses programme, while inspirational mid-courter Allison is named in the senior squad for a fifth successive year having also recently been selected for this summer’s Netball World Cup in South Africa.

Defender Pavelin, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled her out of the 2023 Super League season, retains her place in the Future Roses while Team Bath training partner Maslen – who excelled on her three Super League appearances in Blue & Gold – steps up from the Roses Academy for the first time.

Asha Francis, Team Bath Netball Head Coach, said: “Congratulations to Imo, Jayda, Phoebe and Tash on their well-deserved selections.

“It is really exciting to see Jayda make the step up, she has had an impressive first full season at Super League level and this is a great opportunity for her at what will be the start of a new World Cup cycle.

“It’s no surprise to see Imo in the Vitality Roses programme for another season but it is always a huge achievement to be selected, especially with the number of young players pushing for a place, and something to be celebrated.

“Had Tash had a full Super League season she may well have been pushing for a Vitality Roses place herself but she is recovering well from injury and it is great to see her remain part of the England set-up as she continues her comeback.

“Phoebe is another young player who will be looking to take her opportunity at the start of a new international cycle. She certainly did that on her Super League appearances this season and also had a great NPL campaign. She is definitely one for the future.”

Also selected in the Vitality Roses programme are former Team Bath duo Sophie Drakeford-Lewis and Layla Guscoth, while University of Bath graduate Paige Reed retains her place in the Future Roses.

Pechova, Allison, Drakeford-Lewis, Pavelin and Reed all receive or received sports scholarship support while combining netball and study at the University of Bath. Applications are now open for the 2023-24 sporting scholarship programme from current and prospective Bath students – visit teambath.com/scholarships to find out more.

With thanks to the Team Bath Press Office

Subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions the ‘Vitality Roses Reunited Series’ will get underway at the Copper Box Arena in London on 28 November, before moving on to the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham where the Vitality Roses will play Jamaica for the final two days of the tour on 4 and 5 December.

The fixtures give the Vitality Roses players and coaching staff the opportunity to come together on home soil as the team continue preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 where the England side will be defending their gold medal title. This series will also give fans across the country the opportunity to see a full strength squad and some of the most exciting netball talent in the world.

This will be the first time since the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in January 2020 that the Vitality Roses will play in front of spectators in England, with venues now welcoming full capacity crowds back.

The ‘Vitality Roses Reunited Series’ comes after the previously planned contest between the Vitality Roses and Jamaica was postponed back in January 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in place between the two countries.

Jess Thirlby, the Vitality Roses Head Coach, said: “This is going to be an exciting series for the Vitality

The Vitality Roses; England’s elite netball team, stepped out on court to face New Zealand, South Africa and Jamaica in a sold out test series back in January 2020. However, shortly after, COVID-19 hit causing all netball activity to be halted across the country.

After extensive planning, plus regular conversations with Public Health England, Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have agreed to travel to the UK for a period of isolation before facing the Vitality Roses on court.

The Vitality Netball Legends Series is a new tournament, which has been aptly named to represent the netball players who are making their mark on the international stage. After January, the series will convert to the autumn annually and will see England face a different world class team in each edition.

Each year, England Netball will name the trophy for the series after a different legend in the netball world. For the first installation of the series, the Sunshine Girls and the Vitality Roses will battle for the Jean Hornsby Cup, named in honour of the first Black England netball player Jean Hornsby, who has helped to create history and pave the way for many women across the Netball Family.

The announcement of this series comes shortly after the Vitality Roses travelled to New Zealand for an exciting three-match test series against the world champions.

Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to announce that international netball will once again be showcased on home soil. After an incredibly tough year for not only netball, but all sport, we didn’t know if this series would be possible. Getting the Vitality Roses to New Zealand for a tournament there in November was a huge feat, but to now be able to host some competition ourselves too is a huge privilege.

“Whilst this series will look different from what we’re used to without fans in attendance, we know that the Netball Family will be cheering on the Vitality Roses from homes across the country.

“A tremendous amount of work and effort has gone into making this possible, and we will be following extensive medical guidance and ensuring strict safety protocols are in place throughout for the safety of all involved. There’s still a lot of work to do but we are so pleased to be able to get this series agreed.

“Thank you to everyone at England Netball for their tireless work, Public Health England for their ongoing guidance and Netball Jamaica for making this happen. Plus a huge thank you to the Netball Family for their ongoing support and for helping netball to #RiseAgain.”

Tricia Robinson, President of Netball Jamaica, added: “Netball Jamaica is pleased to be playing in the Vitality Netball Legends Series and to be vying for the Jean Hornsby Cup. There is disappointment in playing behind closed doors however it is great to be back on court participating in International Netball Competition, having last competed in January in the Nations Cup.”

Exact dates, venue and times of the series, which will be covered live by Sky Sports, will be announced in due course.

The result means it will be New Zealand lifting the Taini Jamison Trophy on Sunday morning as the three match test draws to an end, following their 58-45 victory on Wednesday.

Shannon Saunders got the game underway once again for the hosts, who were still reeling from a convincing win in the opening fixture, and they scored the first goal of the game.

The Vitality Roses came out more determined after their last defeat and were quick to respond to going behind. After drawing level, great defensive pressure meant Razia Quashie would win the ball back from a Silver Ferns centre pass.

The ball was worked expertly up to Eleanor Cardwell who calmly put her side ahead for the first time in the series. The Manchester Thunder shooter impressed in the first game and shortly put England 1-3 up.

After great work from the likes of young goal attack Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, the away side pushed the world champions all the way in the first quarter but they started to creep back into the game.

After levelling with a few minutes left to go before the first interval, the Silver Ferns snuck ahead by two goals to make it 14-12 after the opening 15 minutes of this fixture.

Head Coach Jess Thirlby and assistant Kat Ratnapala, who has taken on additional coaching responsibilities due to Thirlby being unable to travel for the series following a positive COVID-19 test result, made changes at the break by bringing the likes of George Fisher and Vicki Oyesola into the game. These quickly proved dividends as the Vitality Roses pulled level.

On a number of occasions in the second quarter, the team in red proved too hot to handle. Fisher was shooting at 100%, Malcolm was firing again and on two occasions they scored three in a row.

After drawing level at 17-17, Thirlby’s side put distance between themselves and the opposition. With three minutes to go, they were three up as the Silver Ferns struggled to find any rhythm on court.

On her 100th appearance for her country, co-captain Serena Guthrie fed Fisher who turned to sink in the final goal of an impressive half for England. After 30 minutes, they led by 23-25.

Silver Ferns Head Coach Noeline Taurua was critical of her side after their first win of the series on Wednesday and her half-time team talk clearly had an effect on the seven that returned to court.

It was a vastly different performance from the hosts when play resumed. An intercept seconds after the restart set the tone for quarter three and New Zealand quickly went back in front. At the other end, they limited their English counterparts to just one goal in five minutes.

A few tactical changes from the aforementioned Taurua and an injury to Guthrie meant it was difficult for the English to reduce the deficit. The Silver Ferns scored 16, conceded just eight and led by six going into the final 15.

With the Taini Jamison Trophy slipping away, the Vitality Roses continued to fight in the fourth quarter. The away team picked themselves up after an exceptional third quarter for the Silver Ferns.

They pushed their opposition all the way in the final 15. The hosts won the fourth quarter 15-14 to see out a seven goal victory overall in the game, a six-goal improvement on the first game for England.

The win sealed the series for New Zealand who will be lifting the trophy in the third and final game at the Claudelands Arena on Sunday 1 November, which will be aired live by Sky Sports.

Guthrie and Malcolm will don the red dress for the Cadbury Netball Series, set to take place on 28 October, 30 October and 1 November, alongside vice-captain Fran Williams.

After taking a short break from the international scene having led the Vitality Roses to bronze at the Vitality Netball World Cup last year, Guthrie is back and set to gain her 100th cap during the England side’s first international series following lockdown.

The netball icon, who made her debut against Malawi in 2008, will be working hand in hand with co-captain Malcolm in a bid to secure victory. Malcolm, who was a part of the Manchester Thunder team that secured the 2019 Vitality Netball Superleague title, has plenty of experience leading the England side having been vice-captain during a 2019 test series in South Africa and the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in January 2020.

The Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby, who will be leading the squad virtually with Kat Ratnapala taking on additional coaching responsibilities on the ground due to a positive COVID-19 test result, revealed her leadership team selection following the team’s arrival in New Zealand.

She commented: “Serena and Laura are well respected members of the team and I’m really proud to name them co-captains. Serena has a wealth of international knowledge and exposure, which is important for a captain to have going into a series against the current world champions and after such an unsettling year for all. It’s brilliant to have her back in the mix and back in the red dress, the players really look up to her and I know she’ll do an outstanding job.

“Laura is a positive, hardworking and highly motivated member of the team and has a natural ability in knowing how to get the best out of those around her. Over the last 12 months she’s proved her ability to be a leader throughout training and previous international competitions. The great thing about this squad is we have a very leaderful team, with many players ready and raring to step up whenever the time requires it and Laura leads by example both on and off the court.”

Vice-captain Fran Williams, who plies her trade for Wasps Netball in the Vitality Netball Superleague, has 13 caps to her name and played a key role in the Vitality Roses’ journey to the podium at the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup.

Thirlby added: “This is a really exciting and important opportunity for Fran, she’s been on a phenomenal journey with the Vitality Roses to date and has really made a name for herself on the netball scene. The whole team has been tested due to the pandemic; being forced to train from home and then in a different environment when returning to camp, however Fran has shown resilience and a positive attitude throughout. I couldn’t be more proud of Fran and the team.

“Despite not being able to fly to New Zealand with the squad due to a positive COVID-19 test result, I have complete confidence in knowing we have such a great leadership team in Serena, Laura and Fran. I will be working closely with them, albeit virtually, throughout the series and can’t wait to see them back on the international stage.”

The Cadbury Netball Series, which will see the Vitality Roses face the Silver Ferns for the first time since January, will be aired live via Sky Sports.

Despite not suffering any symptoms of COVID-19, due to a positive test received, Jess Thirlby will not travel with the Vitality Roses to New Zealand at this time for the Cadbury Netball Series and is currently self-isolating and following all the necessary next steps.

The 16 England players, plus all remaining coaching and support staff set to head to New Zealand, have all received two negative test results and will be following strict protocols in the lead up to the series, including quarantining after arriving in New Zealand and undergoing regular tests prior to the series commencing. The squad are now reuniting for the flight after two weeks apart, having followed a home-based training programme in that period.

England Netball says it had a number of contingency plans in place for the series and has been planning for various scenarios with the New Zealand Government and Netball New Zealand. With Thirlby unable to travel with the squad to New Zealand, Saracens Mavericks Head Coach Kat Ratnapala, who has assisted Thirlby and the Vitality Roses as Assistant Coach for a number of competitions in the last 12 months, will assume additional coaching responsibilities on the ground for the Cadbury Netball Series. Thirlby and Ratnapala will work closely together in preparing the team for the series using creative methods from across the water.

Colette Thomson MBE will also be heading out to New Zealand and assisting Ratnapala, offering extensive experience and knowledge of both the squad and the international landscape. Thomson was a part of the coaching team that saw England deliver gold at the 2011 World Netball Series, and is more recently known for helping the Vitality Roses on their journey to the podium at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and again on their way to a home World Cup in 2019.

Vitality Roses Head Coach, Jess Thirlby commented: “I am extremely disappointed to not be travelling with the Vitality Roses. We have been taking every precaution; remaining in small bubbles during training, having staff wear masks at all times, as well as players wearing masks when not on court, social distancing, doing temperature checks on arrival, plus self-isolating at home and undergoing a pre-flight testing plan prior to travelling. Whilst I’m still awaiting my second set of test results, we cannot take any risks as the safety of all involved is the priority.

“I have to date not shown any symptoms of COVID-19 so this result has come as a shock. However, I am thankful that we have a strong team in place to help support the squad in person. Kat has been working closely with the Vitality Roses and I in recent test series, and I know the team will take confidence in having her there in my absence. Kat and the Vitality Roses will also be supported by Colette who has worked within the Roses programme for many years and has extensive experience in preparing teams for international competition. I know the Vitality Roses will be in good hands and I will do all I can to support them remotely.”

Kat Ratnapala has been a part of the England set up in a variety of roles, including taking charge of the England U21 ‘Select’ team, working as a Technical Coach for the governing body, and supporting Jess Thirlby as Assistant Coach for the Vitality Roses’ test series against South Africa in 2019 and during the Vitality Netball Nations Cup earlier this year.

She commented: “This of course is not the outcome that any of us wanted. Jess has been doing tremendous work in preparing the Vitality Roses for international competition in these unusual times, she’s been carefully ensuring everyone follows the safety protocols set in place to ensure this series could go ahead and has been itching to get out to New Zealand.

“I will do all I can to support the Vitality Roses during this period, with the help of Colette and Jess, who I know will continue to have a strong presence in the lead up to the games, albeit virtually. I have enjoyed working with the Vitality Roses over the years and especially with Jess over the last 12 months, I will take this as an exciting learning opportunity. I am happy to take on the challenge and feel fully supported by Jess and the team and am confident that we will work closely together in preparing the squad to the best of our ability.

“These are uncertain times but we are doing all we can to keep netball going and to getting the Vitality Roses back playing on the international stage. I hope everyone will send the Vitality Roses and Jess their support and best wishes in the meantime.”

The Vitality Roses have been following the Government’s elite return to play roadmap over recent months and are now able to return to competition as part of that.

The Vitality Roses are scheduled to face the world champions on 28 October, 30 October and 1 November as part of the series.

England Netball and 4TLOS wish the Vitality Roses the best of luck in New Zealand and send their best wishes to Jess Thirlby whilst she awaits further news.

Thanks to England Netball