2020 Squad

On court leadership team confirmed for Superleague 2020

We’re excited to be able to name our on court leadership team for the Vitality Netball Superleague 2020. As the Thunder team return to training with just weeks until the new season begins, Head Coach Karen Greig has chosen three players who will be pivotal to the title defence. Emma Dovey will continue as Captain with Kathryn Turner named as Co-Vice Captain once again. The retirement of Kerry Almond means a new face was needed for the leadership group, and the coaching team and Emma have decided to appoint Laura Malcolm to be alongside Kathryn as Co-Vice Captain. Karen Greig said: “Emma has proved to be as effective a leader as she is a player over the past few years and I’m delighted she is continuing as Captain. A Head Coach needs a Captain on court they can trust and in Emma I definitely have that. “Kathryn is a stalwart for us in attack and provides strong leadership backing up Emma and supporting every single player. She deserves her continued role ... More

Scholes called up to Superleague squad for title defence

Alicia Scholes, daughter of the Manchester United and England legend Paul, has been named as a member of the Thunder squad for the 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague season. The 18-year old is called up to the senior squad for the first time and will be a training partner for the new campaign. Thunder are the defending Champions, having won the 2019 Superleague title in May, and are counting down to the start of the season next month. Alicia, who plays at centre and wing attack, has been part of the Thunder youth set-up for some time, and making it to the highest level is something her proud dad never doubted she would achieve: Paul Scholes said: "We knew from aged 6 or 7 when she first started playing at the ball hall in Failsworth - she had a team of friends and they were hammering everyone! We knew she had ability then, that she was talented and she’s still as dedicated now." As well as being in the Superleague squad, Alicia will be part of Thunder's U21 team ... More

2020 Superleague Training Partners named

We're delighted to be able to confirm the final five members of our 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague squad as we name our Training Partners. Congratulations to Lois, Elia, Berri, Ella & Alicia on their selection. We'll tell you more about them in the coming weeks... More

Amy Carter completes Thunder’s 10 for 2020

We're completing our core squad of 10 for the Vitality Netball Superleague 2020 by confirming that Amy Carter is back with us for the new season. The 21-year old mid-courter is part of the 2019/2020 England Futures programme and excited to be back in black and yellow. She said: "I'm really looking forward to the upcoming campaign and hopefully we can bring back the title to Manchester once again. I hope to see as many fans as possible at Belle Vue - get your tickets now!" Karen Greig, Thunder Director of Netball, said: "It’s great to have Amy with us for another season. She has been an integral part of the squad over the last two seasons and for someone so young she plays with great maturity. I'm excited to continue to work with her and see her develop further and impact this squad." Amy's signing means our ten for 2020 is now complete... Rebekah Airey Eleanor Cardwell Amy Carter Emma Dovey Laura Malcolm Joyce Mvula Ashleigh Neal Lauren ... More

Defensive duo back for 2020

Manchester Thunder's defensive duo of Emma Dovey and Rebekah Airey are returning to the Superleague Champions for 2020. Dovey, who has been Thunder Captain for the past three years and will continue in the role for the new season, has played her entire senior career with Thunder and is a hugely influential part of the team both on and off court. Airey, who joined Thunder last season, is one of the full-time athletes on England Netball's Vitality Roses programme. She will also play for England at the Netball Europe Open next weekend in Belfast. The pair take to nine the number of players confirmed for Thunder's title defence campaign, which begins in February. Thunder’s Director of Netball Karen Greig said: “It's great to have our Captain back. Emma has been solid for us over the past 11 years and brings that experience to our defensive unit. She will be looking to develop a partnership with our new signing Lauren, and continue to build the partnership with Rebekah... More

Caroline’s back for 2020

Caroline O'Hanlon is back with Thunder for 2020. The Northern Ireland captain returns to Manchester for a third season. Caroline has played a highly influential role since joining Thunder for the 2018 season and provided vital leadership on and off court in the Championship-winning 2019 season. She has had a busy summer, captaining the Northern Ireland side at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool in July which finished in 10th place and taking her Gaelic Football team, Armagh, to the quarter-finals of the All Ireland Championships. Speaking about committing to Thunder for 2020, Caroline said: “I'm delighted to sign on with my third season at Thunder after such a great year last year. We have the best fans in the league and it's an absolute privilege every time I get to represent this franchise. I can't wait to get back on court and defend our title." Thunder’s Director of Netball Karen Greig added: “Caroline is a key signing for us and I'm delighted to ... More

Malawi Queens sign up for Thunder’s title defence

Our squad for the defence of the Vitality Netball Superleague title will be boosted by two of Malawi’s leading netballers. Instrumental shooter Joyce Mvula, the 2019 Fans’ Player of the Season across Superleague, will return to the Black and Yellows for a fourth season. While, new for 2020 will be her fellow Malawian, defender Lauren Ngwira, who joins the Superleague champions from London Pulse. Joyce and Lauren were part of the Malawi Queens squad for the Netball World Cup in Liverpool this summer and were influential at opposite ends of the court in securing a sixth placed finish for the African side. Thunder’s Director of Netball Karen Greig said: “I am so excited to have Joyce back with us for 2020 and for her to be joined at the other end of court by Lauren. “Joyce has developed so much in her time at Thunder and securing her shooting skills for the new season is a huge boost as we look to defend our title, especially as I know her performances have ... More

Eleanor Cardwell returns in 2020

Eleanor Cardwell will be back in black and yellow for the 2020 season as the England Rose re-signs for the Superleague Champions. The 24-year old shooter, who was key to securing the victory in the 2019 Grand Final against Wasps when she came on in the final minutes, rejoined Thunder last year and proved invaluable in providing options in the shooting circle. She has now put pen to paper on a two-year deal which will keep her in the North West – the region where she grew up and rose through the ranks from youth level to Superleague – until at least 2021. Eleanor is Thunder’s latest signing for the 2020 campaign following the re-signing of Laura Malcolm and Kathryn Turner and new addition Ashleigh Neal. Speaking about the news, Eleanor said: “I’m so excited for this upcoming season and to see how we can build on the last and try and reclaim the Superleague title. "First of all we’ve got the Fast 5 this autumn during which we will be able to show off our ... More

Kathryn Turner back for 11th season at Manchester Thunder

We're thrilled to say that Kathryn Turner is the latest player to re-sign for Thunder. The influential 26-year old shooter will be back for her 11th season in 2020 as we look to defend our title. Kathryn is the second player confirmed to be back at Thunder after Laura Malcolm’s re-signing was announced earlier this month. Speaking about her decision to return, Kathryn Turner said: “I’m delighted to be back at Manchester Thunder for my 11th season. Time has certainly flown! Winning the Superleague was an amazing experience with an amazing group of players, it’s brilliant to return for another year and we’re determined to do all we can to defend our title.” Thunder Director of Netball Karen Greig added: “Kathryn has been a crucial part of our rebuilding over the past three years and unstoppable at times in the GA position. I couldn’t be happier to have her back for 2020. “She showed in the incredible 2019 Grand Final that she can step up for the big games and ... More

Laura Malcolm returns to Thunder for 2020

Thunder’s Laura Malcolm will be back in black and yellow for the 2020 season as the England Rose re-signs for the Superleague Champions. The 28-year old, who played a key role in the title-winning 2019 campaign, rejoined Thunder last year and provided strong leadership on and off court. She has recently been selected to be one of 29 players on England Netball’s Vitality Roses programme for the 2019-2020 season and is Thunder’s first signing for 2020 since the Superleague’s six-month long signing window opened a week ago. Laura said: “After what was an incredible season, I can't wait to be back at Manchester Thunder for the 2020 campaign! “The atmosphere from the crowd at some of our games this season was the best I've ever experienced and I'm looking forward to getting on court in front of the crazy Thunder fans again!” Thunder’s Director of Netball Karen Greig added: “I am delighted Laura has re-signed with Thunder for the 2020 Superleague ... More