Before asserting there is more to come surrey Storm director of Netball Mikki Austin has revealed her excitement in the new additions she’s made for her squad before the 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague season back.
Austin’s first year in charge last season saw Storm album an eighth-place finish, securing and also the 26-year-old has hailed their’proactive’ summer.
Storm have confirmed eight of the playing group to the 2020 season, which comprises three exciting new signings.
Austin’s side has been joined by northern Ireland international Niamh Cooper although they have also procured the signature of Leah Middleton in the Queensland Firebirds.
The two-time Superleague winners welcome Team Northumbria objective attack Sophie Hankin along with former Saracens Mavericks to strengthen their circle.
Storm’s all-time leading look producer Katy Hughes has signed a new contract and she’ll captain the side, with Yasmin Parsons set to take on the role of vice-captain.
Yasmin Hodge-England and Emily Gulvin will be the players verified to be returning for next season and also Austin also set to feature in a ability that is playing, the director of Netball of Storm is delighted with their recruitment.
“We have made some really key additions in court places that I think will pay real benefits for us moving forward a year ago,” Austin told Sky Sports.
“That’s really exciting to get that blend of returners and fresh faces in the mixture. We’ve had eight players that have been announced – we’ve drip-fed a few returners with a few new ones which is great along with the buzz around which has been brilliant.
“This has been a really long procedure from May time, so we had been really proactive with that.
“We really wanted to make a significant push to retain the majority of our squad and I am really pleased to state that we’ve done this. Seventy percent of the squad this season are returners and I believe that’s super important.”
With pre-season preparations ahead of the All-Star Championships nicely ahead that was Fast5, Austin insisted that it was critical to make sure their recruitment was finished whenever possible to ensure the side could concentrate solely on gelling as a component.
The 26-year-old also paid tribute to mentality and the spirit within her squad and believes that it might be a critical element in a Superleague season that claims to be competitive.
“I think that is one thing we have been really smart on this year. Not only am I happy with the athletes and netballers that we have got, I’m more pleased with the people and the personalities.
“There seems to be a seamless mix with how girls interact with each other and their mentality right from the get-go was on exactly the same page.
“I feel as if that’s so promising moving forward and notably from the depths of March and April when you’re mid-season and really tired, using a great team-camaraderie will count for nearly wins and losses this season,” she added.
While the additions of Cooper, Middleton and Hankin provides the Storm group a fascinating refresh, they have maintained the heart of the group from last season – using Hughes continuing in her role as captain.
The 38-year-old was an ever-present from the Storm group since 2011 and she played an integral role within their back Superleague triumphs in 2015 and 2016.
Austin admits that Hughes’ expertise and leadership qualities are priceless and she reveals that retaining her captain’s services, as well as Parsons – was a priority.
“Katy Hughes was leading from the front as our captain last year and will continue in that leadership role next year with Yaz Parsons because her vice-captain,” Austin verified.
“I think last year both of them actually took on a lot of responsibility, Katy especially leading in the front and in relation to her performances probably had one of the greatest years of Netball I’ve seen Katy play.
“She really flourished with taking on this responsibility and I mentioned to the women as it came into re-signing, they have been essentially the first two in my list.
“I had no reason to not re-sign them and surely no reason not to have them continue to lead. They buy what I am about and to me.
“They really take care of this squad and the badge and what that represents. I am so thankful to have their financing and also have them back in our squad.”
Nevertheless, more new arrivals has teased within the coming days and months and she is determined that the additions will play a pivotal role in ensuring a successful year.
“There’s still a couple of newbies to incorporate into the mix and a few that I am rather excited about and they’ve slotted to our training environment well.
“I believe that they’re going to spearhead and lead from the front in terms of their direction and their experience on court also, which we have seen with the team being as tight as it was a year – that may be the difference between you winning and winning ”
Sky Sports is the home of netball and it yields to your screens shortly, starting with all the Fast5 All-Stars Championships on Saturday, October 12, while the Roses go back to inaugural actions.
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