a group of female athletes celebrating in a huddle

Lightning reveal stellar squad ahead of 2025 Netball Super League season

  • º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning 2025 Netball Super League (NSL) squad: Alice Harvey; Bella Baylis; Beth Cobden; Berri Neil; Ella Clark; Hannah Joseph; Jodie Gibson; Nat Panagarry; Samantha Wallace-Joseph; Shadine Van Der Merwe

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning has revealed its full squad ahead of the 2025 Netball Super League (NSL) campaign.

The reigning back-to-back champions are delighted to welcome new signings Shadine Van Der Merwe, Samantha Wallace-Joseph, Berri Neil, and Jodie Gibson to its impressive roster.

The new quartet will join experienced returners Nat Panagarry, Beth Cobden, Ella Clark, Hannah Joseph, Alice Harvey, and Bella Baylis. The brand-new NSL commences in March 2025.

New arrivals

South Africa international Shadine Van Der Merwe arrives in º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ following a successful spell at Manchester Thunder. The 31-year-old defender also has experience in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League having appeared for the Adelaide Thunderbirds from 2019-21.

Samantha Wallace-Joseph is another signing with experience Down Under having starred for the New South Wales Swifts for the past seven seasons. The Trinidad and Tobago shooter’s signature is a major coup for Lightning as she leads the line following Mary Cholhok’s move to the Queensland Firebirds.

Berri Neil joins Lightning with a strong reputation having been elevated from the Future Roses programme to the Vitality Roses in May 2023. Neil, 21, has previously appeared in the NSL for both London Pulse and Manchester Thunder.

Lightning’s final new signing will be a familiar face to many as Jodie Gibson makes a welcome return to the club. The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist rejoins from Saracens Mavericks.

Returners

Nat Panagarry will once again represent Lightning for the new season, having led the team to back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. Recognised as one of NSL’s top performers, Panagarry’s leadership will be another vital element in Lightning’s title defence. 

Beth Cobden will join forces with Panagarry in centre court after agreeing to return. The England international has been a pivotal force for Lightning as she enters her fifth consecutive season with the club.

Attacker Ella Clark is another welcome returner for Vic Burgess’ side. The consistent shooter has vast experience in NSL having donned the Lightning dress since 2018.

England international Hannah Joseph will drive Lightning forward after agreeing to a new deal. Returning for an incredible 11th straight season, Joseph brings energy and ferociousness in the middle of the court.

Alice Harvey has been awarded for her strong recent defensive performances with a new contract for Lightning. The 23-year-old will be a huge presence in defence for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. 

Completing Lightning’s strong line-up is Future Roses star, Bella Baylis. Bella, who can play both Centre and Wing Attack, enjoyed a strong first season with Lightning in 2023, stepping up from training partner to full NSL squad member in 2024.

“As we look ahead to the 2025 Netball Super League season, we’re incredibly proud of the Lightning squad that we’ve assembled,” said Head Coach Vic Burgess.

“As back-to-back defending champions we’re aware that there will be a target on our back. With this in mind, we’ve recruited exciting players across the court to ensure that we’re in a position to battle for silverware once again.

“Our focus is now on ensuring that the squad is ready for the opening game as we continue to push boundaries as a high-performing franchise.”

The 2025 Netball Super League will commence in March 2025 with all fixtures released in due course.

For more information on º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning netball visit: www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/performance/lightning/netball/

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/150

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. 

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running. 

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. 

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes. 

The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking. 

Categories