ST CLEMENT prepare to launch their defence of the Netball Division I trophy on Monday – but with more teams in the top flight and numerous squad reshuffles the title race is wide open, says Jersey Netball Association president Jackie Nelson.
The prize will be strongly contested as always, but with two extra teams challenging for the title this year and a flurry of player losses, comebacks and transfers over the summer, Nelson says the new season should see some interesting play.
‘It’s going to be one of the most interesting seasons yet because I know there have been major changes in all the top teams,’ she says.
‘There are lots of players coming back from university, but the biggest thing is that all the top teams have lost players this season and I think that’s really thrown people. I don’t think it’s going to be easy for anyone going into a game at the moment – it’s going to be wide open. I imagine it will still be tight at the top, however.
‘It will be a bit more settled for some teams – I know St Clement B has not had a huge amount of upheaval, and they’ve definitely been made stronger by Sharon West.
‘I think having the stability for some teams will be a big help, because even though we have had pre-season training it will take time to get used to the new set-up for most.’
Pictured: The title chase will be even more intense for St Clement A this year
