Netball Super League | Leeds Rhinos announce four returning players for the 2024 season

Caroline O'Hanlon lining up for Leeds Rhinos in 2023. Credit: Ben Lumley

Leeds Rhinos have made their first announcement of the 2024 Signing Window, confirming four players who will return to represent the Yorkshire-based side next season.

Amy Braithwaite, Michelle Magee, Caroline O’Hanlon and Cassie Howard have all been named on the Rhinos roster for the 2024 campaign.

Amy Braithwaite

The 20-year-old became the first player from the Rhinos Pathway to ever sign for the club when she was promoted mid-way through last season.

The Derby-born star began last season in the Rhinos Pathway, but was called into an injury-hit squad on the opening day of the season to make her Netball Super League (NSL) debut against London Pulse.

She was later elevated to the first-team squad and made her second appearance of the season away against Pulse and scored her first NSL goals.

We caught up with@AmyBraithwaite7to find out how she is feeling heading into her second @NetballSL season!

Watch more: https://t.co/nfhvThTbWe #RhinosNetball pic.twitter.com/pbvZsNSxQA

— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) September 4, 2023

“It feels amazing to be heading back to Leeds next season,” Braithwaite said. “It was a huge honour for me last season to be the first player from the Pathway to sign for the club. I think I will be the first of many. We have a strong pathway and are developing a lot of players and the coaches are helping to push players through. I know the Club are super passionate about the Pathway as well so for them to give opportunities to players in that set up is really exciting.”

Michelle Magee

Northern Ireland defender Michelle Magee returns for her fourth season at the club.

After playing in the Loughborough Lightning Pathway for three years she was signed by her former international coach Dan Ryan to make the step up to NSL in 2021 and made her Rhinos debut against Lightning.

She played five times in that first season and in 2022 earned a regular place in the squad, making 17 appearances and a further 16 last year.

“I am delighted to be back at the Rhinos for another season. I love this club. I’ve been through the highs and lows from the start and it’s been amazing to see our fan base for the club grow in that time.”

Caroline O’Hanlon

Northern Ireland teammate and Captain, Caroline O’Hanlon returns for second year in blue and amber.

The two-time NSL winner joined Rhinos after her 2022 victory with Manchester Thunder and was an ever-presence in the Rhinos team last season.

Fancy footwork 👟@cohanlon9 zooming down the court so fast, we couldn't see her feet! 😮

Watch the second half LIVE on @SkySports 📺 https://t.co/fiXXuxlX5G pic.twitter.com/fAztXfzVvU

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 24, 2023

The 39-year-old has represented Northern Ireland in three Netball World Cups and two European Championships. She captained her side in the 2022 Commonwealth Games – the third time she had competed in the event.

“I am delighted to re-sign for Rhinos for 2024! I feel we have unfinished business and hope we can build on the momentum we gathered towards the end of last season. We have an exciting mix of world class experience and fresh young talent, so can’t wait to get going!”

Cassie Howard

Finally, rising star Cassie Howard has been promoted to the Rhinos first team squad for the 2024 season after impressing as a Training Partner.

The 20-year-old signed with Rhinos in 2022 from the London Pulse Pathway, fresh from winning the Netball Performance League U21 championship.

She made her debut in the second game of the season against Saracens Mavericks and played a further three times, alongside representing the University of Leeds and Leeds Athletic.

✍️We are delighted to announce that rising star @_CassieHoward has been promoted to our Super League squad for the 2024 season. ✨

More: https://t.co/gtLzQMD3Js #SigningWindow2023 | #RhinosNetball pic.twitter.com/rchuGksxzo

— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) September 4, 2023

“I’m really happy at the opportunity to step up and to be included in the 12 this season. I enjoyed my first year at the Rhinos and I am looking forward to contributing to the team and am excited for next season and to work with a talented group of athletes.

“Being in the Super League environment last season really helped my personal development. It was good to get some game time and the step up improved by tactical awareness and game play. The strength and conditioning coaches helped me to step up to another level and working with Liana was great and she was able to share her knowledge and understanding of the game, which was really beneficial for me as a young player and helped my netball vision and ability to read a game.”

You can keep up to date with all the 2024 squads and signings here.

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