THE Evelyn Partners Jets welcome Exeter to Jersey tomorrow for their second game of the new season, as the new Oakfield Sports Centre plays host to the return of Premier League netball to the island.
“We’re super excited,” said Jets captain Rosie Tonner ahead of welcoming Exeter tomorrow. “We trained at the new Oakfield on Thursday night and it was great, we’re really excited for the first game there.”
Exeter Netball Club have started their own campaign in good form with an impressive 58-42 home win over Ryland last Sunday that sees them top the table after the opening weekend.
However, last season proved an up and down roller coaster for the southern based side. After starting their 2024/25 campaign with consecutive wins, they followed up with three consecutive defeats and from 10 November through to the end of February they failed to record a single win.
They did however finish the campaign on a high with a commanding 71-32 home win over Leyton. The Jets will feel confident on home soil with if Exeter’s away form is anything to go off from last season.
From their 18 Premier League 3 fixtures last season, Exeter managed just one win on the road, which included one tie and seven defeats. Their home form was more promising however, recording five wins and four defeats.
This fixture marks a landmark for sport in Jersey. The new facility at Oakfield Sports Centre has been under development for some time and sports fans across the island will be excited to see it up and ready for use.
Jets head coach Serena Kersten commented: “There’s a really nice energy about the club at the moment. The club and players alike have put in a lot of effort over the last couple of years to either get themselves in the Regional 3 squad or now, the Premier 3 squad.
“To be able to have two teams competing at a senior level, especially with the Premier division campaign, as one of the top 30 teams in the country, I’m really excited to see how it unfolds.”
“I think it’s the challenge that’s exciting us mainly,” added skipper Tonner. “We’ve been in Regional 1 netball for a couple years now and it’s so great to be back playing Prem netball, to have that new challenge and to play some new teams and travel to new areas of the UK as well.
“The increase in home games is also massive for us. We have such amazing support here on island and we’re really excited to get to play more matches in front of our own supporters.”
Action from the new Oakfield Sports Centre is scheduled for a 10.30am start tomorrow. Tickets are available to purchase here;
For the full league standings, follow the link below.
https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/premier-league-standings-25-26/#division-1
Evelyn Partners Jets squad
Rosie Tonner (c), Jodie Blampied (vc), Grace Thomson, Lara Spary, Jacy Brown, Maddie Fitzgerald-Wilkins, Toni Chaytor, Molly Carre, Sam Salzone, Becca Forrest
