MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | Saracens Mavericks vs Surrey Storm - 9 June 2024

SARACENS MAVERICKS

GREAT LOCAL DERBY THIS AFTERNOON.

WELCOME

BUCHANAN CAMILLA HEAD COACH’S

that this is already our penultimate match of the season.

It’s been a year of ups and downs, but we have continued to progress as a group and are well-placed to really kick on next season.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the players, staff and fans from Surrey Storm this afternoon to Hertfordshire Sports Village.

Last week, the announcement of the result of the tender process for next season’s NSL was released to the general public. Whilst we are delighted that Mavericks will be involved again next season, I also want to extend my sympathy to those who will not be in the league next season, including our opponents this afternoon.

I have fond memories of playing against Storm during my days on court and I know how much work Mikki and the team have

put in behind the scenes to turn them into the formidable opponent they are today.

The league will be a different place without Team Bath, Surrey Storm, Strathclyde Sirens and Severn Stars all involved.

It’s a new era for netball in this country, but it’s also going to be a new era for Mavericks, as we become London Mavericks.

I’m excited about what the future holds for the club, but for now the focus is firmly on our last two matches of the season.

We loved seeing all of you at Herts Sports Village last weekend when we faced Dragons and, with two local derbies to finish off the season, I can think of no more fitting venue for us to showcase the talent within this group.

We are striving for a full 60-minute performance, and I know that the group will want to find that this afternoon.

WE HAVE TWO MASSIVE TESTS TO FINISH THE SEASON.

GIBSON JODIE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

It was amazing to be back at home last weekend against Cardiff Dragons.

We were really frustrated with the performance we put out on court, and we’re determined to show a far better performance this afternoon.

We know how much of a challenge it’s going to be against Surrey Storm. They are a brilliant side and one that is going to be missed within the NSL next season.

They showed what they are all about last weekend against Loughborough, so we know that this is going to be a really tough match this afternoon.

We’ve got two matches left of the season and two local derbies to round it off. We’re determined to end our season on a high and if we’re able to do that by picking up a win this afternoon, we’ll all be incredibly pleased.

Last weekend was a tough one but one thing that was a huge positive was seeing Sophie Egbaran make her NSL and Mavericks debut.

She’s an incredible young talent and she wasn’t fazed at all when she made her way onto the court last weekend.

She was fearless and relentless and that’s what we need to be today.

It’s been an honour to captain this group this season and I speak for all of us when I say that we want to put in a performance that you will all be proud of this afternoon.

Your support has always given us an extra boost and we’ll need you to do that again today.

We want to finish the season on a high and if we are able to get the win today, that will go a long way to doing just that.

SCENE SETTER

A week is a long time in netball.

After the news about which clubs have secured their places in the league next season, there will be a tinge of sadness this

a bang and will count themselves unlucky to have not secured a win over champions Loughborough Lightning in what proved to be their last home match at this level.

fire from the first whistle and did not relent until the umpire blew for full time.

Mavericks know that they will have two matches, including today to leave a mark on the 2024 season.

focus for Camilla Buchanan and her coaching staff.

Matches between Mavericks and Storm have always proven to be entertaining affairs that have had flashes of true quality.

Storm currently sit in sixth place and Mavericks in eighth, but only two points separate them in the standings.

Storm, Dragons and Mavericks are all tightly packed together in the league standings, so a win today for either side will solidify sixth place or leave it all to play for heading into the final round.

Storm hold the advantage in recent meetings between the sides and Mikki Austin’s side will

want to make sure that they put in a statement performance again this afternoon.

The Netball Super League will be a very different place without Storm next season.

They are a side who have given everything to the league and will continue do so for their final two matches.

It will no doubt feel different without those trips to the boisterous Surrey Sports Park for fixtures next season.

For now, though, it’s going to be an incredible occasion this afternoon.

Both sides will surely look to play with an element of freedom to their performances, as they look

to finish on a high against a local rival.

It may not have been the season that either of these sides had hoped for in terms of a play-off push, but they will be looking to finish on a high.

Make no mistake, local bragging rights count for a

THE OPPOSITION

As one of only three sides

league to secure back-toback league titles, Surrey Storm are looking to end their season on a high.

Mikki Austin’s chargers offs last season and, whilst they won’t make the end of season dance again this year, this is a Storm side who have done themselves proud in what has turned out to be their final season

Storm have been one of England Netball ever since their inception and it will feel strange to not see egg blue dress on court next season. The NSL will feel very different without any trips to Surrey Sports Park and from all of us here at Saracens Mavericks, we wish their players and staff the very

There is still business to take care of this season first though. In Proscovia Peace, Storm possess one of the most deadly shooters in the competition, who already has well in excess of 450 goals to her name this season.

Haniisha Muhameed has been picking up Gains for fun across the court, whilst in Beth Dix, they have one of the best feeders in the league.

It was a brutal start to the campaign for Storm, facing both of last season’s finalists in their opening two rounds and, whilst the scoreboard showed two losses, they more than proved that they would be able to keep up their impressive form from last season, showing plenty of sides how they could look to ask questions of both Lightning and

Pulse as the season progressed.

A first win of the campaign arrived in round three against Mavericks, before they backed it up with an impressive performance against Cardiff Dragons.

Sadly though, Storm had

a week later, in a result that seemed to set-up what has been a bit of a start campaign results wise since then.

Defeats to Leeds Rhinos and Severn Stars have made sure that Storm won’t be able to return to offs, but with today’s fixture and an away trip to Strathclyde Sirens to round off their season and NSL journey for now, they will want to go out on a high.

In their time in the NSL, storm have appeared in five finals, winning two of them in 2015 and 2016 against Mavericks and Thunder respectively.

Iconic names such as Pamela Cookey, Geva Mentor and Tamsin Greenway have all worn the famous dress and this current crop will be

that they finish the season on a high.

Mavericks will know that they are coming up against a formidable challenge this afternoon and in player/ coach Mikki Austin, Storm have someone who will lead from the front and give everything she has on and off the court

Austin is the metronomic heartbeat of this Storm side and she will be determined to go out on a high in these final two

ROTHWELL kira THE INTERVIEW

Speed, tenacity and a keen eye for the game. You have to have all of the above attributes if you want to succeed in elite-level netball and Kira Rothwell certainly has that in abundance.

Last season’s Fans Player of the year has had to bide her time this season, but she has shown her ability when it’s mattered in recent weeks, highlighting the depth of options that are available to the Mavericks coaching staff.

Rothwell explained that she had a clear understanding of her role at the club this season but had relished having more time on court in recent weeks.

“In the times when I’ve not been playing as much, the coaching team have been very clear about how they were going to utilise me, which filled me with confidence. It’s been really nice to get those minutes in the last few weeks from the start and show what I can do. It’s a credit to the coaching staff that they kept me feeling so happy in the environment, even

when I haven’t been playing.”

Mavericks came into the 2024 season full of optimism, after a superb signing window.

Things haven’t quite gone the way that the side had hoped as the season has progressed and Rothwell wants her side to play with the right in mindset in these final two matches of the season.

“We came into the season really excited after a great signing window. We’ve had some great patches and actually played quite well in the last few weeks; we’ve just not been able to

string it all together. It’s about our mindset and channeling into positivity for the rest of the season.”

Last season, one of the standout connections on court was that of Rothwell and Goal Shooter Ine-Mari Venter.

Having never played with the South African before arriving at the club, Rothwell quickly formed an impressive partnership in and around the shooting circle.

She has been able to rekindle that partnership again in recent weeks, explaining that it has been great to pick up where the

pair left off from the 2023 season.

“It's been great playing with Ine again. I know that the moment I get the ball, I can turn and find her straight away in the shooting circle."

“I think knowing when to let the ball go is one of my strengths and we’ve really started to work out the movement we need in the circle now as well. It means we can both get goals on the board and that’s so exciting.”

Mavericks were disappointed with their performance against Cardiff Dragons last weekend, as they went down to the Welsh side at home.

Rothwell wants her side to channel their disappointment in that result into these final two games against the local rivals, as they look to finish their campaign on a high.

She also wants her side to show that they can mix it with the best teams in the league, as they begin to look ahead to the 2025 season.

IT’S BEEN GREAT PLAYING WITH INE AGAIN. “

always compete and can secure those big wins.”

Matches between Surrey Storm and Saracens Mavericks have always been filled with drama and emotion.

Today will be no different, albeit with an added element, as these two sides prepare to meet for

“It’s going to be really emotional today. There are people in our team who began their netball journeys at Storm, so it’s going to be really tough."

“Ultimately, we still have a job we need to do. They are going to be playing fueled by emotion, so we need to focus in on what we want to achieve in training this week. It’s a game we need to win.”

Whilst it will be a sad day for all involved, as Rothwell insists, her side still have a job to do.

Storm showed how good they can be against Loughborough Lightning last weekend, so the challenge facing Mavericks today is no doubt going to be a sizable one against Mikki Austin’s side.

PLAYER PROFILES

IF

MAVERICK

THE BIG PICTURE

VICKI OYESOLA RUNS OUT ONTO COURT AGAINST CARDIFF DRAGONS.

PATHWAY NEWS

THE SARACENS MAVERICKS

PATHWAY CONTINUES TO SHAPE OUR NSL SQUAD.

with ups and downs for Peace Akinyemi.

Having arrived as one of the NSL squad, combining her time with playing for the pathway in the summer, an injury on the eve of the start of the NSL season put her out of action for a large chunk of the campaign. Now

though, she is determined to make to make up for lost time in the final few matches of the season.

“It's been very exciting training with the players I have this season. Being back in the environment has been brilliant. I’ve learnt and grown a lot already and being around those players who produce big moments on court has helped me see a different side to the game as well.”

Prior to her injury, Akinyemi had had limited training time with the squad due to England commitments, but she expressed her gratitude to the club for the way they have supported her in her recovery journey, as she has looked to get herself back onto the court.

“It’s been a long journey. I got injured just before the season began, but the club have been so supportive with me. It’s such a great environment to be in. I’ve been fit and in the squad for the last few weeks now, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to get my debut soon.”

Akinyemi is an incredibly talented young Goal Keeper and her time playing for the Saracens Mavericks Pathway this season has proved invaluable in terms of getting up to speed with the structures within the club.

“The pathway helped my game so much. Being new to the club this year, it’s helped me in terms of being able to learn and implement the structures I’ve been learning onto the court.”

“Being able to play with the young Mavs players and the up-and-coming players we’ve got at the club has been so good for my game and honing my

in training are great, but being on court and getting those minutes is so important.”

The likes of Akinyemi, Emma Thacker, Indya Masser and Anna Fairclough have all had game time for the Mavericks pathway sides this season, further highlighting the importance of their being a clear progression pathway for young players at elite level.

Akinyemi explained that constant game time was crucial for the development of young players, as they look to hone and develop their craft.

“Constant game time is key. That is your moment to learn and see how we’ll you’ve developed what you’ve been working on in training. When you get your moment to be called up into the NSL squad, that is your chance to

showcase all of that. But those pathway minutes are equally as important as a young player.

Learning from the likes of Raz, Vicki and Jodie in training is obviously incredible, but you understand you perhaps aren’t going to get as much court time as you would playing for the pathway sides. That’s why it’s been so crucial and beneficial for me.”

Having had the time to learn off of elite players and play herself, Akinyemi is well placed to make a real impact as her career

SQUADS MATCHDAY

DEFENCE

Peace AKINYEMI

Jodie GIBSON

Vicki OYESOLA

Razia QUASHIE

MID-COURT

Georgia LEES

Indya MASSER

Ellie RATTU

Aliyah ZARANYIKA

Rachel FEE

Amy HOWELL

Haniisha MUHAMMED

Anya WOOD

Mikki AUSTIN

Beth DIX

Amy FLANAGAN

Leah GOSS

ATTACK

Britney CLARKE

Sophie EGBARAN

Kira ROTHWELL

Ine-Mari VENTER

Sophie DRAKEFORD-LEWIS

Ellie GIBBONS

Proscovia PEACE

Frankie WELLS