With the World Cup Final more than two weeks ago now, a new dawn was ushered in with the naming of Jess Thirlby as the new Roses Coach (Great appointment in my opinion & to be honest i breathed a huge sigh of relief!) and now she has named her first Roses ‘squad’ for the new season.
25 players have been named in the new (or is it new?) P1 & P2 system with players like Rachel Dunn, unable to commit to a full time programme, still eligible under the P3 option! Yes, I know, where are all these new terms coming from and is there a glossary / code / explanation given?!
Now, the England Netball Media team (note they normally have expensive outside help too) would have been working overtime of late ( yesterday we also had the news the CEO Jo Adams is leaving in the Autumn. I’m going to park that one!) but it’s just beyond ridiculous they casually include Kate Shimmin’s name without a thought to the readership!
I watch Suncorp Super Netball regularly so I’m familiar with Kate Shimmin’s offerings for Adelaide Thunderbirds but even I had to go and do some research to make sure there wasn’t a young Rose with the same name who’s slipped under the radar!
It was down to the very savvy Denise Evans from the BBC to give more of an explanation and she even had to chase EN for more details! I really would like to buy you a large glass of wine and shake you rigorously by the hand, Denise, if you ever read this. I’m a big admirer of your work!
Surprisingly, for me at least, is the lack of retirement announcements after the World Cup. Not just from the Roses but from other national sides too. Perhaps with such big coaching changes coming (Norma Plummer’s replacement still not been announced) or perceived changes (Jamaica’s review still to take place) players’ are hedging their bets for the short term.
I am DELIGHTED that Geva Mentor has been named as one of the 25. It has been at the back of my mind for a while now that England do not have an obvious replacement for her. Comparatively you can see Cobden and Panagarry forming an orderly queue behind Clarke and even George Fisher will be waiting patiently in the wings ( for a while I hope - no offence!) for the retirement of Harten.
There are a few defenders up and coming but not ‘one’ to really follow in the very big footsteps of Geva Mentor. Sam Cook was in inspiring form at the back end of last Vitality Superleague season but I seem to remember her commenting ‘Roses isn’t for everyone’ in a post match interview when asked about any potential national future Perhaps that’s where Shimmin comes in!?!
Apart from the ‘spine’ of the side staying a huge highlight for me is the inclusion of Yas Parsons in the 25. Yas is a local player, came up through the ranks of local clubs before joining elite side Weston Park Blades and Surrey Storm. She is an inspiration to many local youngsters, still gives her time to local netball and as anyone follows her on Instagram knows, has been working her absolute arse off for this opportunity! May we wish you the sincerest best of luck Yas! Great to have another local ‘baller gaining recognition they deserve!
