London Pulse ignite netball’s new era with inaugural Super Cup victory
With the revamped Netball Super League set to begin on 14 March, fans were treated to a sneak peek of the action in the inaugural Super Cup on Saturday.
The standalone tournament featured all eight teams battling it out in 14-minute, high-intensity games at Utilita Arena Sheffield.
After 15 matches, London Pulse emerged victorious, defeating surprise package Leeds Rhinos in the final.
Despite a shaky start – drawing to Loughborough Lightning and losing to Rhinos – Pulse bounced back, winning their final group-stage match against Cardiff Dragons to sneak through to the semi-final.
Some brilliant late defending from Funmi Fadoju helped them edge past previously unbeaten Manchester Thunder 17-16, booking their place in the final.
Facing Rhinos once again, Pulse turned the tables with a 20-15 victory – driven by 16 points from Liv Tchine – to get their hands on the first ever Netball Super Cup.
With their NSL opener against Nottingham Forest just days away on 16 March, could this victory be a sign of things to come for London’s top netball team?
Pulse CEO and Director of Netball, Sam Bird said: “The only way is up. We’ve come fourth, we’ve come third, and we’ve come second. It’s no secret that we’re trying to win this thing, but it’s going to be a lot of hard work.”
Rhinos charge against the odds
Certainly the underdog story of the day, Leeds began their campaign with a 17-12 loss to Cardiff Dragons. Clearly undeterred, however, they responded with shock victories over Pulse and reigning NSL champions Loughborough.
Managing the semi-final with composure, they secured a 15-13 win over Forest before falling at the final hurdle to claim a remarkable second place.
It was an outcome few saw coming, especially given that just weeks ago, Loughborough put 96 points past them in a pre-season game.
Head coach Lauren Palmer said: “I think a lot of people had written us off.
“We went out there to prove a point – we’re here to compete, not just here to make up the numbers.”
Only appointed in December as the team’s fourth coach in their fifth year, Palmer added: “That underdog status just meant that the girls could play with freedom and go and enjoy it.
“I was so proud of what we put out there today, and I just hope that’s the catalyst for going into a really successful season.”
New kids on the block
One of the biggest developments this season is the addition of two new franchises: Nottingham Forest and Birmingham Panthers.
The Super Cup marked their first official competitive outing. Panthers struggled, the only team to finish winless, while Forest demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with.
Backed by the Premier League football club, Forest gave their fans yet another reason to celebrate. They reached the semi-final on Saturday, delivering a dominant 29-15 victory over London Mavericks along the way.
Star Goal Shooter Rolene Streutker said: “Coming into a new team, but an already established club makes it a lot easier. You don’t have to start from scratch, they already have all the systems and everything in place.”
On the advantages of being a new team, the South Africa international added: “It’s a big opportunity because nobody knows how you play. We’ve played a few pre-season games, but since the beginning games, we improved exponentially. I think that’s something that they should be scared of.”
The first step
The Super Cup offered a tantalising glimpse into netball’s future in the UK. While it was a thrilling aperitif, the upcoming league must now deliver.
Marking a major step towards professionalisation, NSL 2.0 promises increased coverage, bigger venues, more competitive matches, higher pay, and improved matchday experiences.
The 7,500 plus fans in attendance on Saturday, may well have witnessed the start of something special.
Mavericks captain Ellie Rattu reflected: “It’s always great to see all the fans come out in all the different colours. It’s been a really vibrant and exciting day, and hearing the crowd when you’re on court is always fun.”
Featuring eight teams, down from ten, the competition was on full display, with no single team dominating. The league, however, will be a different ball game.
Injury-plagued Manchester Thunder impressed in the Cup, but sustaining that level across a full season of 60-minute matches will be a far tougher test.
Then there’s the question of how the new rules will play out. The introduction of the Super Shot – a two-point scoring zone on the edge of the shooting circle – was a major talking point. First exhibited in Sheffield, where it was applied in the last three minutes of each half, it will now be used in the final five minutes of every quarter in the NSL.
Cardiff Dragons head coach Reinga Bloxham said: “It is quite different, to be honest. You’re always telling your shooters to go to the post, and then when it comes to the Super Shot, you’re telling them to run away from it basically.”
One thing is certain: netball is entering a thrilling new era, with momentum stronger than ever. As Loughborough Lightning head coach Vic Burgess said: “Hopefully, it inspires people to watch it, play it, and be a part of it, because it is a great game-day experience.”
Featured image credit: © Hayley Bavin
