VS LEEDS RHINOS SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2023 CP 16:00 | ISSUE 01
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
HEAD COACH’S WELCOME
CAMILLA BUCHANAN
A VERY WARM WELCOME TO YOU ALL, AHEAD OF OUR FIRST HOME FIXTURE OF THE SEASON AT HERTFORDSHIRE SPORTS VILLAGE.
We’re evolving as a side and after last weekend against Severn Stars, I’m really looking forward to being back at home this afternoon.
I know that the whole squad are so excited to be playing in front of a home crowd here at Hertfordshire Sports Village and it’s sure to be a fantastic match against Leeds Rhinos.
Whilst there is obvious disappointment to have suffered defeat last week against Severn Stars, we’re all very conscious of the fact that we’re on a journey as a side. Every match and every training session, we are seeing continued improvement and that is what we are striving for.
Last weekend was a special occasion for our four new Mavericks, as they pulled on the dress for the first time.
This season, Christina Shaw, Lisa Mather, Kira Rothwell and Monique Meyer have all joined the club and I am so happy with the impact they have all made so far.
I would also like to take a moment to mention our captain, Sasha Corbin. There aren’t many people like Sasha. She leads by example and is the epitome of a role model. Her positivity is infectious and she is always looking for the bright side of things. She’s one of those people that you always want on your side and would always want within your family.
This season is a journey for us all, but to have you all along for the ride with us is going to be special. I can’t wait for centre pass.
Enjoy the game
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SCENE SETTER
AFTER DEFEAT LAST WEEKEND AGAINST SEVERN STARS, SARACENS WILL BE HOPING TO GET UP AND RUNNING AT HSV.
Both Mavericks and Rhinos suffered defeats on opening night, but with both clubs have a lot to feel positive about, as they head into the second round of the Netball Super League season.
There has been a lot of change at both clubs since 2022, with plenty of new faces eager to make their mark.
Back in front of the home crowd at HSV for the first time in 2023, today will be a chance for the Mavericks to lay down a marker and continue their upward trajectory. With Sasha Corbin leading the side for the tenth year and new combinations showing some real promise, the only was is up.
Last season, these two sides finished in fifth and sixth, level on points and only separated by goal difference. It’s all set up perfectly for a fascinating encounter this afternoon.
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SARACENS MAVERICKS PATHWAY NEWS
The National Performance League is in full swing for our U21 & U19s.Whilst we have played some tough opposition, we are pushing for our first win and want to remain competitive throughout. Historically we have always done well at age group and we are dedicated to seeing this continue. Our Under 17s have one game so far against Surrey Storm and won convincingly. They have a month before their next game.
A number of our athletes continue to do well internationally and we have three athletes from our Player Development programme who will be going to Belfast for the Netball Europe U17 Competition to represent Ireland (Kiera Straker and Eva Buckley) and Gibraltar (Alex Dellipani). We wish them all the best in this competition.
Congratulations also to our U21 Roses Academy player Josie Groves who also represents England at Cricket who won a silver medal at the recent T20 U19 World Cup in South Africa.
We’re extremely proud of what she has achieved.
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TeamTalkPhotos
This is home for me. To be able to don the dress is special.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Ten years at the top of your game is something that is rightly heralded. However, to captain your club for that amount of time is even more remarkable.
Sasha Corbin is now in her thirteenth year as a Maverick and her tenth season as captain. A trailblazer off and on the court, she believes that the secret to being a good captain is leading by example.
“Captain’s that I’ve seen, they give 110% and they are the first one’s to pick you up. That drive and motivation within a team is super important,” said Corbin.
As a character, Corbin is incredibly easy-going. But her desire to win and ability to drive a side forward with her personality are both things that set her apart as a real leader within the game.
“I just try to be myself. I’m quite a bubbly captain. I like to feel that I’m approachable, but mainly I want to keep the peace. There are lots of highs and lows but it’s important to have that balance. When we’re low, we need to keep bringing it up and for that’s super important,” she explained.
For Corbin, Mavericks has always been her home. Despite a few years away at Bath and abroad, Corbin insists that Mavericks has and always will be the place for her.
Reflecting on what makes the club so special for her, Corbin had to take a moment, before explaining how it was the people within the club that have made it what it is.
“It brings shivers to be honest, I love Mavericks. To be able to compete and do some amazing things has been so special. It’s the people to be honest. The whole organisation and what we stand for; I’ve absolutely loved it.”
This season is something of a new dawn for Saracens Mavericks. With a fresh squad, a fresh coaching team and a brand new structure on court, Corbin is excited about where her side can get to. With the group beginning to gel as a unit, Corbin believes that they are on an upward trajectory.
“We know exactly where we want to get to. I think having that camaraderie in the team is huge. We try to stay motivated and keep those connections. For me, that’s super important, as that’s how I like to see things.”
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TODAY’S OPPONENTS LEEDS RHINOS
COMING INTO THEIR THIRD SEASON IN THE NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE, LEEDS RHINOS ARE SOMETHING OF AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY HEADING INTO THE NEW CAMPAIGN.
An opening day defeat to London Pulse offered a slightly clearer indication of the way that the Rhinos want to play this season. However, sides will still be waiting several matches to get a clearer understanding of how to counter the Rhinos.
Former Silver Fern Liana Leota has been appointed as the new Director of Netball, with several big name signings, including Ellie Bird and Elle McDonald.
Having finished fourth in their debut season and sixth last season, level on points with Mavericks, there is a sense that this Rhinos side could be a dangerous proposition.
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NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE LEAGUE TABLE
ROUND TWO FIXTURES
LONDON PULSE 72-42 TEAM BATH
SURREY STORM VS MANCHESTER THUNDER
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING VS CELTIC DRAGONS
SEVERN STARS VS STRATHCLYDE SIRENS
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PLAYER PROFILES 2022/23
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ELIZA BARCLAY BRITNEY CLARKE SASHA CORBIN PIPPA DIXON BETH ECUYER-DALE JODIE GIBSON GA/ GS C/ WA/ WD WD/ GD/ GK WD/ GD/ C GS WA/ C TRAINING PARTNER TRAINING PARTNER
11 MONIQUE MEYER ELLIE KELK GEORGIA LEES LISA MATHER RAZIA QUASHIE KIRA ROTHWELL GEORGIA LEES INE-MARI VENTER ALIYAH ZARANYIKA GK/GD GS/ GA GD/ GK GD/ WD/ GK GD/ GK GA/ GS WA/ C C/ WD TRAINING PARTNER GA/GS/WA
NEW-LOOK MAVERICKS SUFFER OPENING DAY DEFEAT
IT
WAS A GAME OF TWO HALVES
IN FRONT
OF
AN
ENERGISED
CROWD
ON
OPENING DAY
OF THE 2023 NETBALL
SUPER LEAGUE, AS SARACENS MAVERICKS RAN OUT OF TIME TO CATCH A NEWLOOK SEVERN STARS.
Last year’s statistics didn’t give the true picture, as the team who finished fifth last season took on the team who won just three of their matches in 2022. Mavericks faced the unknown entity of an almost entirely new Stars side, complete with Jo Trip as new Player/Coach.
While Mavericks started strong, Stars grew into the game and, ultimately, Mavericks’ surge in the final quarter wasn’t enough to catch the team from Worcester. Mavericks opened the scoring, with new squad member Kira Rothwell teaming up effectively with Ine-Mari Venter.
The Hertfordshire team ended the first quarter with a narrow advantage.
There was nothing to separate the two sides in the second quarter as the crowd were treated to pacey, competitive netball. Although Mavericks went into the much-needed half time break a point ahead, it was Stars looked to be gaining a foothold in the match.
Mavericks showcased the depth in their squad in the third quarter with Mather handing the mid-court baton to Ecuyer-Dale and Corbin tagging out for Lees.
Severn, meanwhile, stuck with their (increasingly) magnificent seven to frustrate Mavericks and head into the final quarter with a 6-point advantage.
Buchanan’s side fought hard to claim the fourth quarter on points but, unfortunately, to lose the match. The Head Coach found the positives from match one of her team’s 2023 campaign:
“It’s early on. We can go back to the training ground and really refine those things. A Lot of lessons learnt. I don’t think we – and by we I mean ‘I’ – adjusted tactically enough to that. We were prepared tactically but I’m not sure our execution was there at times.”
Lisa Mather made her debut for the Mavericks in the fixture and echoed her Coach’s determination and optimism, believing that her side will still be able to take great heart from the match.
“It was a good game to look at what we need to improve on going ahead and I’m sure it’s going to give us more fire to keep going and get wins.,” Mather explained.
“As a group, it isn’t the result we wanted, but there are going to be so many things that we can take from this. Props to the Stars, they really did come out firing. We wanted the first win to start the season, but it was a great game.”
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Report by Erica Rosa Tapp
SARACENS MAVERICKS COMMUNITY CORNER
We’ve had a fantastic week this week, with some amazing Masterclasses with Monique Meyer, Georgia Lees and Lisa Mather.
Our Masterclasses always prove to be a popular event, with the opportunity to learn from some of our Mavericks stars! Keep an eye our for our April Masterclasses, which are on sale now!
Click here to view our upcoming Masterclasses
We have some amazing camps coming up in April in a number of locations.
Camps are on sale for £37.50 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hatfield, Bedford and Chelmsford.
Click here to view our upcoming camps
We have a number of fantastic CPD Workshops coming up over the next few months. With sessions led by our NSL coaching team, as well as matchday workshops with Head of Strategic Performance Tamsin Greenway, Bern Palmer and Sheelgah Redpath and Colette Thompson MBE, before Mavericks matches at HSV, these are events that you don’t want to miss!
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