England defender Williams completes Lightning move

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Fran Williams

Photo by SW Pix

Vitality Rose defender Fran Williams has joined º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning for 2022 VNSL (Vitality Netball Superleague) campaign.

Moving from midlands rivals Wasps Netball, the World Cup bronze medallist completes Lightning’s roster for the season with her signing a major coup for Sara Francis-Bayman’s side.

A title winner in 2017 and 2018 with Wasps, Williams will balance her centralised training programme with England Netball at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in 2022 alongside her commitments to current Superleague champions, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning. 

Williams will join up with fellow Roses players Nat Panagarry, Hannah Joseph, Ella Clark and Beth Cobden, who were all recently confirmed as returning to Lightning for 2022.

Fran, Nat and Jade‌Fran Williams (pictured right) will join up with teammate Nat Panagarry (left). Credit:SW Pix

Williams – who has 18 caps for the national side – competed alongside new teammate Nat Panagarry in 2019 as England secured the bronze medal at the Netball World Cup.

The 23-year-old has found herself a regular in Head Coach Jess Thirlby’s line-up after debuting in the senior squad just three years ago.

Speaking to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport, Williams said:

“I am super excited to be joining º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning for this season. I’m looking forward to a new challenge and developing my game further.

“After Lightning’s 2021 success, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to learn from the team and to help retain that winning title.”

players with winning medals and flowers‌Fran Williams (pictured left) won Bronze at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool. (Credit: SW Pix)

Head Coach Sara Francis-Bayman added:

"Fran provides the missing piece in our defensive puzzle and we're thrilled to have landed such a huge talent. She's a multiple Superleague champion and is still so young that we're very excited about the future potential she has."

Williams becomes the final piece in Lightning’s star-studded line up for 2022 and with Fast 5 shortly on the horizon make sure you get your tickets now to watch the new look side in action for the first time!

2022 Squad

  1. Ella Bowen
  2. Mary Cholhok
  3. Ella Clark
  4. Beth Cobden
  5. Alice Harvey
  6. Hannah Joseph
  7. Suzie Liverseidge
  8. Nat Panagarry
  9. Emma Thacker
  10. Fran Williams
  11. Hannah Williams
  12. Zan Vimbela
  13. Georgie Brock-Taylor (Training Partner)
  14. Jess Haynes (Training Partner)
  15. Clara Miles (Training Partner)