England call for Thunder trio

Emma Dovey

NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder’s Sara Bayman, Emma Dovey (pictured) and Laura Malcolm have negotiated the first hurdle in their bid to be in England’s squad for the World Netball Series at the end of the month.



The trio are in the initial 15-strong party, which will be whittled down to a dozen on November 13.

The World Netball Series takes place in the North-West for the third year in a row, with the sport’s top players converging on the Liverpool Echo Arena from November 25-27.

Bayman is well on the road to recovery following knee surgery and is expected to be available to stake her claim for a place in the side.

Her absence at the business-end of last season was crucial as Thunder’s hopes of Superleague glory were dashed, and her progress will please the club’s new director of netball Tracey Neville.

Bayman said: “It is so good to be back and I can’t wait to get back on court.

“It has been a very frustrating few months and my rehabilitation process has been pretty immense.

“The real test will come in a competitive game when, hopefully, the hard work will come to fruition.”

Malcolm and Dovey are current Oldham players, while Bayman may turn out for the town team as she regains full fitness.

Neville has been appointed England technical coach to the World Netball Series squad. She will be working alongside Anna Mayes and Collette Thompson.

The girls will train at the new Thunder home of the Wright Robinson Sports College

Neville said: “The squad is very new and exciting, and this a great development opportunity for England netball.

“In my new role at Northern Thunder I feel that the constant involvement with world-class athletes is essential to increase my coaching repertoire and knowledge of the game.

“In my playing days I relied on the support from my club and county coaches at national level. They observed my development and designed my training program in accordance to making me a better player.

“I am hoping to replicate this support with our Northern Thunder athletes this year.”

England will be led by Thunder’s former skipper Jade Clarke, who is now with Northern Mystics (New Zealand).