MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | Saracens Mavericks vs London Pulse - 15 June 2024

SARACENS MAVERICKS

ELLIE RATTU

SOME AMAZING MEMORIES TODAY.

HEAD COACH’S WELCOME

BUCHANAN CAMILLA

Welcome to Herts Sports Village for the final time this season.

It’s been a funny old year but your support home and away throughout has been unwavering and for that I am truly grateful.

Last weekend was an emotional one as we faced Surrey Storm for the final time, but the side were incredibly impressive in securing a big win and great performance.

Peace Akinyemi was able to make her debut for the NSL squad too and, knowing how hard she has worked to recover from injury, I’m delighted for her that she not only got onto the court, but played as well as she did.

Today is going to be another day filled with emotion, as we play our final match of the season and also say a few goodbyes.

This will be our final match as Saracens Mavericks, before we become

London Mavericks next season. Whilst I am incredibly excited for what the future holds, I also want to say thank you to Saracens for all their support over the years.

Today, we also say goodbye and thank you to our captain Jodie Gibson, who announced this week that she will be leaving the club at the end of the season to move back towards home.

Last season, when Sasha Corbin retired, I had no hesitation about naming Jodie as captain. She has epitomised what it means to be a Maverick and has led the side superbly this season.

I, along with everyone here at Mavericks wish her the very best for this next phase in her career.

It’s going to feel different without Jodie here next season and whilst this is goodbye, it’s certainly not a farewell, as she will always be a Maverick and a special part of this club.

WE WANT TO FINISH THIS SEASON ON A REAL HIGH.

GIBSON JODIE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

Last weekend’s performance against Surrey Storm was one we’ve been looking for in the last few weeks.

We know we’re capable of performances like the one we put out on court last weekend, it’s just been that we haven’t been able to do it with the consistency we would have liked this season.

Sunday was a brilliant performance and we want to back that up again today.

We also saw Peace Akinyemi make her NSL debut for the club and I was delighted for her to see her get out on court after all the hard work she has put in this season.

She’s an incredibly talented young player and I cannot wait to watch her continue to develop in the coming years.

Today is also going to be

an emotional one for me, as I play my final game for Saracens Mavericks.

It’s been an incredibly difficult decision, but as I said in the announcement on Thursday and as I have explained in today’s match day programme, the time is right to move back home to Manchester. I do so with a heavy heart and memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Today is about this team and the exciting future it has ahead of it. I can’t wait to be a supporter of Mavericks in the years to come, cheering them on from afar and the stands.

This is a club that welcomed me in with open arms and one that has given me so much throughout my career.

We want to put in one final performance today for you, our incredible fans and I’m looking forward to seeing you all after the match.

SCENE SETTER

A local derby to round off the season, there’s a fair sense of intrigue about this one.

Plenty of commentators may look at this season for Mavericks as one that has

plenty of positives to take from the campaign.

Many new stars have made their Mavericks debuts and players like Indya Masser have excelled in their first season at this

club in the off-season, as Gibson relocates back to her home in Manchester and Lees brings the curtain down on her NSL career that has seen her establish herself as one of the best Wing Attacks in the

match is a dead rubber for Mavericks, with just pride to play for, but on the other, it’s a chance to secure a big victory over a local rival, to build the confidence and momentum heading into next season.

For London Pulse, Sam Bird celebrates her 150th game in charge of the club.

Last season’s finalists know that they will need to better Loughborough Lightning’s result if they are to secure second-place and a home semi-final, as they would require a significant swing on goal difference to be able to secure second spot and that crucial home

semi-finals, as they go up against each other in a repeat of last season’s final. Now, it’s simply a case of who will be playing at home.

The last two matches between Mavericks and Pulse have been thrillers.

Last season, Mavericks secured a shock away win on the final day of the season to send Sasha Corbin into retirement in the best possible way, whilst this campaign, they felt that they let the win get away from them at the Copperbox Arena, as Pulse hit back to secure the victory in the dying seconds of the game. This was a match that showed

Last week’s victory over Surrey Storm showed that the side are able to pull a full 60-minute performance together and they will need to do that again this afternoon.

LONDON PULSE ARE READYING THEMSELVES FOR ANOTHER CRACK AT

THE OPPOSITION

Sam Bird celebrates her 150th game in charge of Pulse this afternoon, and she would love nothing more than to mark that achievement by securing a home semi

The odds are stacked against Bird’s side, they need Loughborough Lightning to drop points or for there to be a significant goal difference swing, but stranger things have happened.

This Pulse side is one that is supremely talented, building on the youth within its ranks and continuing to excel throughout the campaign.

Whilst a few players departed in the summer, Pulse kept the core of last season’s squad together and it has paid dividends throughout the campaign, in which they have only suffered

three defeats. Two of those have come against Manchester Thunder, with the other against a mightily impressive Severn Stars outfit.

This season, Pulse have added the ability to tough it out in key fixtures to their arsenal.

Six of their wins this season have come by a margin of five goals or less as Sam Bird’s side have shown the grit and determination needed to establish yourselves as one of the best in the league.

There’s talent all over the court at Pulse. Liv Tchine has notched 573 goals this season, whilst Funmi Fadoju has a league-high 46 intercepts. Fadoju also has 90 gains, the most in the league and 153 deflections, over 60 ahead of her nearest rival in Geva Mentor.

Fadoju is a defender who glides across the court, picking off passes and claiming back possession at will.

feeds that have come from Alicia Scholes as well, it quickly becomes clear that this is a Pulse side that are a well-oiled machine when it comes to securing victories.

They have the second defence in the league, behind only Manchester Thunder and a style of play that ensures that they are always in the game, right up to the final moments.

England Roses from the Netball World Cup, Jade Clarke, Funmi Fadoju, Olivia Tchine and Halimat Adio have all established themselves as key parts of this side, whilst England prospects Zara Everitt, Alicia Scholes and Berri Neil have also shown that they will have glittering

At the start of the season, Head Coach Sam Bird was adamant she had a squad to challenge for the title this season.

“I truly believe we have a squad that can take us one step further this season and I cannot wait to get started.”

RATTU ellie THE INTERVIEW

This afternoon, Ellie will come up against her former side London Pulse, as she looks to finish her first season in Mavericks colours on a high.

It’s been a stop season for Mavericks in many respects, but the Vitality Roses Centre put in a superb individual performance last weekend against Surrey Storm, that served as a timely reminder of how dangerous she can be when in the Centre

IT’S BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER OF A SEASON. “

Last weekend against Surrey Storm was arguably one of the performances of the season from Mavericks and it will come as no surprise that Rattu was at the heart of it.

17 feeds, 2 intercepts, 3 deflections 2 pick-ups and 4 gains showed just how influential Rattu was throughout the match and she admitted that the squad had taken a lot of confidence from their performance and also the result, as they secured a big win their local

proud of the way everyone of us played our part to get the win. We have had to stick together throughout this season, and it all came together in the best way possible last weekend.”

Last time Mavericks faced Pulse it was a goal-forgoal thriller, with Sam Bird’s side just edging it in the final minute of the match.

It was a result which Mavericks felt they let get away from themselves, but Rattu believes that her side can take a lot of

last weekend.

“It’s been a welcome boost to our confidence as we go into our last game on Saturday to have secured that win over Storm. We were really pleased with the structures we put out on court and the way we were able to control things throughout the game.”

“We’re looking forward to meeting Pulse again. It was such a close call last time around and we are excited to have another crack and give it all we have for our last game of the season.”

It’s been a rollercoaster season for Mavericks, filled with plenty of highs and some low points too.

Rattu admitted that it had been a difficult season in terms of results, but she feels that the squad will be stronger for it, as they move into the 2025 season and the exciting relaunch of the Netball Super League.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a season and we’ve faced lots of disappointment, but I’m proud of the way the team has continued to regroup and maintain the belief that we have as a group.”

“I’ve loved being part of the group this season and returning to the club where I started by netball journey. We have some brilliant players in this group and some of the best fans in the game. I’ve loved experiencing Herts Sports Village on a match day and running out in a Mavericks dress. It’s a special place to play netball and this has been a special group to have been involved with this season. I’m excited for what is to

e can continue to develop on and off the court.”

Rattu has also had to contend with managing time on court this season after picking up some niggles earlier in the season. She admitted that it had been a tough road back onto the court, but she was delighted to be back involved from the off, helping her side secure a victory.

“It was great to get back out on court and start after long stint of supporting from the bench. There is still lots to work on but happy that I could help the team secure

“It’s been difficult watching from the sidelines and wanting to help the team out on court, so to be able to do that from the start last weekend was hugely pleasing. I want to kick on now, get my minutes back up and really try to keep showcasing what I can do on court.”

If last weekend’s performance is anything to go by, Rattu is going to be a key part of this Mavericks side in the games to come, starting with this afternoon.

If there was ever a time to continue to showcase her ability and performance levels that have made her into an England Rose, then it is this weekend against her former side.

You suspect that if Rattu pops up with a few more crucial intercepts and gains, that roar from the Herts Sports Village faithful will be the loudest it has been all season.

They and Rattu, would love nothing more than to end the season with a victory over Pulse.

PLAYER PROFILES

IF

MAVERICK

THE BIG PICTURE

INE-MARI VENTER REACHES FOR THE BALL AGAINST SURREY STORM.

THANK YOU, JODIE

CLUB CAPTAIN JODIE GIBSON HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WILL BE LEAVING MAVERICKS AT THE END OF THE SEASON.

end of the season.

"My decision to relocate back home to Manchester has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made, and it brings me great sadness. I owe so much to Saracens Mavericks. When I signed with this franchise, I was returning to netball after two seasons out due to injury.

franchise believed in me, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Being part of this franchise for the past five years has been a privilege, memories, too many fifth-

welcomed this Manchester girl with open arms, giving me the space to flourish in alongside incredible players like Razia Quashie. Hertfordshire Sports Village will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“To the amazing supporters of our Saracens Mavericks family, thank you for your unwavering support over the years. I will miss you all deeply."

SQUADS MATCHDAY

Peace AKINYEMI

Jodie GIBSON

Vicki OYESOLA

Razia QUASHIE

Georgia LEES

Indya MASSER

Ellie RATTU

Aliyah ZARANYIKA

DEFENCE

Halimat ADIO

Darcie EVERITT

Funmi FADOJU

Jeresia MCEACHRANE

MID-COURT

Jade CLARKE

Zara EVERITT

Isabella PHILLIPS

Alicia SCHOLES

ATTACK

Britney CLARKE

Sophie EGBARAN

Kira ROTHWELL

Ine-Mari VENTER

Brie GRIERSON

Berri NEIL

Nichole TALJAARD

Olivia TCHINE