England Roses 26/27 Programme ANNOUNCED — Instant Reaction & Talking Points

England Roses 26/27 Programme ANNOUNCED — Instant Reaction & Talking Points

The countdown to the Commonwealth Games is on as Paul and Chloe drop their instant reaction to the long-awaited news confirming a new-look England Roses squad. Ahead of an international cycle that features the Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup, the eagerly anticipated announcement has provided plenty of talking points and plenty of excitement. We dissect what it means to see Jayda Pechová, Gracie Smith and Izzi Phillips named in the full-time programme and how all three areas of the court stack up. Ella Clark and Alice Harvey also return, but does that mean questions elsewhere? While there are names to miss out, a realigned pathway system offers a glimpse into the future. The introduction of a slimline Roses 'A' squad offers clues at how progress through the system may work, while we also weigh up what a brand new NXT Roses programme means for England's brightest prospects.

Top 3? A wooden spoon? Extra, extra time?

It’s been a busy week at Netball Unlocked, but there is no letting up as the Netball Super League standings start to take shape. Joining Chloe, in Paul’s absence, is a friend of the show, Lucy Goodman, and her famed stat spreadsheet. Discussion begins with a packed news agenda. From the retirement announcement of Beth Durant, to England squad announcement news, to Jamie Lee-Price’s reflection on the health of the game off the court - there’s plenty to chew on. Turning to the action, Lucy and Chloe hit the Round 13 games one by one. What now for Nottingham Forest after being dismantled once again by AO Manchester Thunder? Are Loughborough Lightning hitting their straps again following a comprehensive victory over NIC Leeds Rhinos? Does a third extra time victory for London Pulse over LexisNexis Dragons bode well for the defending champions, or should they be worried? Can Birmingham Panthers get back-to-back wins after edging an injury-stricken London Mavericks? A pause in play allows Chloe to ask Lucy for her Commonwealth Games squad with the Roses programme announcement imminent, but it isn’t long before they turn back to the NSL for the Round 14 preview. With the top three placings and the wooden spoon on the line, Chloe and Lucy consider how the final regular season matches might unfold.

Gains, goals and glorious sunshine: An SSN catch-up with Elmeré van der Berg

In a podcast first, we welcome back our first Big Interview guest, Adelaide Thunderbird Elmeré van der Berg, for a catch-up chat! Since departing the Netball Super League, the South African star has joined the ranks of the Southern Australian franchise and has taken Suncorp Super Netball by storm. From training against Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, to Norma Plummer’s choice emojis, the 24-year-old lifts the lid on life Down Under and the form she has managed to find in a club she loves.  Enjoy.

Who's in your England squad? Top 4 locked in and super star guests

As Nottingham Forest lock in the final place in the top four, Chloe and Paul review the latest round of Netball Super League action. Ahead of a big Roses 26-27 programme announcement, there's an international flavour to things as we pick a Roses squad for the Commonwealth Games - and hear from our two most recent Unlocked extended interview guests, Niamh McCall and Jayda Pechova. In the NSL, Forest's win over Lighting throws the race for the top three places into chaos with just a couple of rounds remaining. We debate a brilliant display from Forest and ask how damaging might defeat for Lightning be as Thunder roll on with a big win over Rhinos. Pulse complete a double over a Mavericks team for whom injury bites again, and Dragons thump Panthers to keep on winning - but ultimately fall short in their top four chase. We round things off by previewing Round 13, the penultimate round of the regular season, as Forest host Thunder, Lightning welcome Rhinos and Pulse prepare for the visit of Dragons in games that could have huge placing implications.

Niamh McCall Unlocked: The Big Interview

For the latest in our line of big interviews (recorded just before the start of Round 12!) Chloe is joined by Scottish Thistle and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Dragons’ Niamh McCall. Coined the ‘signing of the season’ for the impact she has had on the Wales-based franchise, McCall lifts the lid on her netball journey to now. From shooting basketball hoops to making her international debut at 16 years old, netball has played a pivotal role in McCall’s early years, but it has also challenged her as she’s risen through its ranks. McCall opens up on the reality of uprooting her life in Scotland after the Strathclyde Sirens folded at the advent of Netball Super League 2.0, and waiting for her chance to shine with the super shot.  She reflects on Scotland’s growing trajectory following the arrival of Kath Tetley and where their ambitions sit ahead of a home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The conversation also pivots to the people who are supporting McCall: from her mum and brother to her Welsh teammates, who have embraced despite their great netball rivalry. Enjoy.