Severn Stars netball club is delighted to announce it has signed England international Jodie Gibson for a third season.
The experienced 25-year-old defender, who was part of the Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning England Roses team, becomes the team’s first signing of the 2019 campaign.
As Stars builds up to its third campaign in the Vitality Netball Superleague, Jodie said she hoped the club could draw inspiration from the positive ending to the last season, which saw a winning streak at home in their last five games.
“This will be my third season with Severn Stars and I am hoping we can build on last season’s success,” she said.
“The coaching staff have been working tirelessly in the off season to recruit new players to the team, who will add strength in key areas of the court, so I am excited to see what this team can produce.
Jodie is also celebrating her selection for a number of upcoming international duties. She is among the players who have been with the club, a joint franchise between the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire, since its inaugural season in 2017.
She combines elite netball with studying for a Sports Studies degree at the University of Worcester, and is about to go into her third year.
Before the season starts, Jodie will once again be in action with the England Roses squad for the latest Netball Quad Series, which involves England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from 15th September.
Jodie will then be with the squad in Kingston to face world number four Jamaica in the three-match Sunshine Series in mid-October.
Then she will take on Vice Captain duties when the England Roses defend their Fast5 World Netball Series title in Melbourne on 27th and 28th October, against top netballing sides New Zealand, Malawi, South Africa, Australia and Jamaica in a five-a-side adaptation of the game.
Anita Navin, Severn Stars’ Director of Netball, said: “Jodie was our first ever signing and I have been impressed with her successes over the last two years.
“Jodie is proving to all that she also has the leadership skills to not only deliver a solid performance but support others.
“I have been impressed with her fitness and have no doubt she will be an asset to Severn Stars in 2019.