Netball Super League | Manchester Thunder’s Loreen Ngwira ruled out of 2021 season

Loreen of Manchester Thunder.

Manchester Thunder defender Loreen Ngwira has been ruled out of the 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season.

The Malawi international’s absence is on medical grounds and she will subsequently return home to be with her family.

Ngwira joined the current Superleague champions in 2019 after an impressive individual campaign in a difficult season for London Pulse.

The 27-year-old had previously represented Team Northumbria where she made her VNSL debut before her move to the Copper Box Arena.

Ngwira impressed Director of Netball Karen Greig playing for the Malawi Queens at the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool and was signed for the following campaign.

The goal defence / goal keeper started all four games of Thunder’s games in 2020 and won all four playing alongside captain Emma Dovey in defence before the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, Ngwira was part of the Vitality Netball All Stars side which took on the Vitality Roses in the Vitality Netball Legends Series.

Karen Greig said: “Of course we are disappointed to lose Loreen at such a crucial time as the season is about to start, we wish her well and a safe trip home.

“However, we need to act fast now and will endeavour to find a replacement to continue our quest to retain the Vitality Netball Superleague title.”

The Manchester outfit play their first game of 2021 against Strathclyde Sirens at Studio 001, Wakefield, on Friday 19:15.

Make sure that you get the news as it happens by following us on Twitter and Instagram. You can also subscribe to website notifications for the biggest news via the bell icon on our homepage.