Which franchise should you support? Team-by-team guide: part 1

CELTIC DRAGONS

Official Website: CLICK HERE

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Venue: Sport Wales National Centre

LONDON PULSE

The league’s newest side having only joined the VNSL for the 2019 season, it has been a year of learning for London’s only franchise. Despite a 10th-place finish, Pulse showed plenty of promise, including a stunning win against Saracens Mavericks which would ultimately deny the Hertfordshire side a place in the semi-finals. With experienced coach Sam Bird moving from Severn Stars to head up the Pulse VNSL side and the capture of Dannii Titmuss from Wasps’ coaching team to look after the Pathway side, it is going to be an interesting few years. The Londoners play at the iconic Copper Box Arena and will be building for the future.

Official Website: CLICK HERE

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Venue: Copper Box Arena

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

Constantly in the mix at the end of the season but yet to pick up a VNSL title, Lightning are a side that will have you on the edge of your seat. Despite a poor start in 2019, the Loughborough University side developed throughout the season and finished strongly to secure a top-four place. They recorded a number of close results including a thrilling one-goal win over Wasps live on Sky Sports. If you want excitement and unpredictability but a good chance of a top-four finish, then Lightning could be the side for you.

Official website: CLICK HERE

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Venue: Loughborough University Sir David Wallace Sports Centre

MANCHESTER THUNDER

The current VNSL champions are formidable opponents for anyone who enters the Thunderdome. Netballing heroes such as Helen Housby, Tracey Neville and Kerry Almond have all graced the court for Thunder. For Thunder fans, a top-four challenge and potential title win is the aim at the start of every season. They mix it with the best and are never far away from the end-of-season drama. A Thunder game is renowned for a boisterous crowd, chanting and drumming! They even have a famous fan with former England footballer Paul Scholes often frequenting their home games.

Official Website: CLICK HERE

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Home venue: Belle Vue

SARACENS MAVERICKS

Over the years, the Saracens Mavericks sides have been full of exciting talent that will have you gripped to the action. Formerly Hertfordshire Mavericks, they picked up their only VNSL title in 2011 and have missed out on a top-four place on the last day of the regular season in both 2018 and 2019. Will 2020 be the year they can end their nine years without a title? They certainly have a habit of amassing a squad full of talent, it is bound to happen sooner rather than later!

Official website: CLICK HERE

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Home Venue: Hertfordshire Sports Village

Make sure you’re following @NetballSL on Twitter and sign up for the VNSL Newsletter to stay up to date with news, tickets and transfers!

Related news

post

16th Apr 2024

Nicola Smith already at home in Loughborough

Reading: 4 mins

Loughborough Lightning