Palmer commits future to NIC Leeds Rhinos

NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball have announced that head coach Lauren Palmer has extended her contract with the franchise until the end of the 2028 Netball Super League (NSL) season.

Palmer was appointed in 2025, and became the youngest head coach in the NSL at the age of 33. In her debut season, the she led the team to the Netball Super Cup final and a seventh-place league finish.

Before joining the Rhinos Palmer had been part of the Manchester Thunder coaching staff since 2017, starting out as their Youth Academy Head Coach and more recently coaching their NXT Gen side.

She was appointed as the Roses Academy Assistant Coach in 2023 helping the U17s, U19s and U21s to win gold in Europe Netball.  Since 2024 she has been the Future Roses Assistant Coach and was Assistant Coach at Fast with the Senior Roses.

Speaking about extending her stay at the Rhinos, Palmer said: “It was very easy to sign an extension. I've loved my first six months here, and the fact that the club backs me, believes in the vision of where we want to take Rhinos was a massive thing for me. To stay for another few years is massive, and I'm excited to be here for the foreseeable.

“I think it's a club that's got huge potential. The backroom staff, the facilities, the community engagement in the Pathway, all the elements are there. It just needs knitting together and driving forward. For me, it's about getting everyone on the same page and pushing forwards. I've no doubt Rhinos in the long term can be one of the top franchises.

“Having a full pre-season is a massive thing for me, and just getting on the ground and hitting it running with the full squad. We will be working on fitness, ball work, and getting the basics nailed,  so I’m looking forward to getting ready to attack next season. In 2026, you'll see a competitive edge to us. We're going to be gritty. We're not going to give in. There's going to be a lot of talent on display. I think there's going to be a lot of excitement and flair in the group, but still maintaining that gritty, competitive edge.”

Alongside Palmer’s extension, NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball also confirmed changes to the coaching staff following the departures of Assistant Coach Maggie Birkinshaw and Team Manager Gerry Plant at the end of the 2025 season. Birkinshaw, a key figure since Rhinos’ inaugural season in 2021, played a major role in shaping the franchise over the past five years and Plant joining the club in 2023 and has won the club’s Spirit of the Rhino award for three consecutive seasons.

For 2026, Pathways Lead Francine Hall will step up alongside former Manchester Thunder U19 Head Coach Jennifer Fields as Palmer’s Assistant Coaches.

Palmer said: “2026 will be very different because Gerry and Maggie have both been influential and helpful, particularly in my first few months here.

“We're going to miss them, but it gave me an opportunity to reorganise the coaching structure. Francine will step up and do some coaching in an assistant coach role with me at Super League, and Jen Fields, who I've worked with before at club level with Manchester Thunder, is going to be joining us in the coaching team too.”

Dan Busfield, Franchise Director for NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball, added: “We are thrilled that Lauren has agreed to extend her contact with our club.  From our very first meeting with Lauren we were impressed with her knowledge, vision and enthusiasm to drive our club forward.

“This year Lauren has already signed her squad for 2026 and, in contrast to last season, she will have the benefit of having a full pre-season with her team.  I think this news and our upcoming signing announcements marks an exciting new chapter for our franchise.”

Now that the NSL 2025 season has ended, the signing window is open until 29 August with clubs able to announce their squads until 5 September. You can follow all the ins and outs across the League here.