After a gruelling five day training camp in Bath, England Netball’s national selectors and head coach, Sue Hawkins have selected the 12 England Squad members to take part in The Co-operative International Netball Series against Jamaica in February.
Spectators in London, Coventry and Nottingham will be in for a treat as the newly announced England Squad competes against their old nemesis the ‘Sunshine Girls’.
Sonia Mkoloma has been chosen as co-captain with Karen Atkinson for the second time and will take on and challenge Jamaica’s Romelda Aiken. Both Sonia and Romelda are great athletes and notorious for giving stunning performances - Mkoloma’s vast experience against Aiken’s impressive height will give spectators something to watch.
Karen Atkinson will enter the series as co-captain currently sitting on 97 International Caps. The elusive and prestigious 100 Caps is in reaching distance for Atkinson but her main focus will be a win for the England Squad.
Commenting on the selection process, Sue Hawkins said: “The selectors found it extremely difficult because the standard has risen significantly over the last 12 months and the competition within the squad is noticeably higher than it has been in the past.”
Co- captain Sonia Mkoloma said: “I’m really glad to have been selected as co-captain again this year with Karen. It was a tough selection process and a tough few days for all the team as everybody worked so hard.
“All of the long squad played well and could have stood up to the challenge as we were all strong contenders”.
The England Squad Announced:
Co-captains: Karen Atkinson and Sonia Mkoloma
Geva Mentor – GK/GD
Sonia Mkoloma – GD/GK
Ama Agbeze – GK/GD/GS/GA
Sara Bayman – WD/C
Jade Clarke – WD/C
Karen Atkinson – WA/C
Tamsin Greenway – WA/GA
Louisa Brownfield – GS/GA
Rachel Dunn – GS
Pamela Cookey – GS/GA
Eboni Beckford-Chambers -– GK
Joanne Harten – GS/GA
Spectators can enjoy The Co-operative International Netball Series at the venues listed below. Games can also bee seen as live on Sky Sports.
First Test
The O2 arena in London – Sunday 22nd February
Second Test
Sky Dome Arena in Coventry – Tuesday 24th February
Third Test
Trent FM Arena in Nottingham – Thursday 26th February
Tickets are now on sale for The Co-operative International Netball Series 2009, England v Jamaica – The Rematch. Look on the link below for more information.
www.englandnetball.co.uk/International/international-netball-series-2009.php
2009-01-27
