Final preparations are well underway for Lightning ahead of the 2023 Netball Season Opener which takes place in front of a sell-out crowd at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 11 February. Lightning kick start the day’s proceedings against Team Bath from 11am.
Director of Netball and Head Coach Vic Burgess has named this year’s Lightning leadership group, with Nat Panagarry retaining the captaincy for another season and Hannah Joseph named vice-captain.
Looking ahead to the beginning of the season, Burgess highlighted the leadership qualities existing within the group;
“I’m delighted to have Nat as our 2023 captain this season, her leadership skills, the way that she supports the squad on and off the court is amazing. We’ve got a number of experienced athletes that can support her as well along with the squad. One of those is Hannah Joseph as vice-captain."
Lightning can also reveal the four other team members who will join Panagarry and Joseph as part of this year’s leadership group. Fran Williams, Beth Cobden, Lauren Nicholls and Hannah Williams will all offer vital leadership experience to the squad during the campaign.
“Obviously, we’ve got some really experienced players that can support not only Nat but the team across the season being Fran Williams, Beth Cobden, we’ve also got in Lauren Nicholls and Hannah Williams. Each of those players have specific leadership roles that they will fulfil this season.
I’m really happy with the selection of that group and I’m looking forward to seeing how they support the group moving forward into the 2023 season.”
Lightning return to Loughborough University for the following round of fixtures, welcoming Celtic Dragons to campus on Saturday 18th February.
Tickets to Lightning’s 2023 home campaign are on sale now and can be purchased here.