Celtic Dragons are on a fast track to netball success, starting against Team Bath at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday.
They have qualified for the British Fast5 All-Stars competition for the first time and the draw has pitted Dragons against Bath in the quarter-finals.
The Fast5 tournament, a fast, exciting, pulsating event, is being broadcast live on Sky Sports television and there is a £25,000 prize on offer for the winners
Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn says: “British Fast5 Netball is already established as one of the most electrifying days in the domestic calendar.
“It’s an exciting time for netball in the UK and we’re thrilled to be bringing the Fast5 All-Stars back to the Copper Box.”
Dragons legend Kyra Jones retired from Superleague at the end of last season and this event is her final farewell.
“I’m really excited about playing for Celtic Dragons one final time,” says Jones. “Fast5 presents a unique challenge and always has an incredible atmosphere.
“I can’t wait to give it my all one last time in the green of Celtic Dragons and I’m excited to see what we can produce as a squad on the day.”
The team features players from Celtic Dragons’ 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague squad plus Rebekah Robinson and defender Latanya Wilson who has recently broken through into the senior ranks back home in Jamaica.
Robinson made her World Cup debut in the summer, adding to her first Commonwealth Games back in 2018. She is an exciting young goal-attack from Kingston and will be looking to apply some trademark ‘Sunshine Girls’ flair, while Wilson is a young, robust defender standing at 6ft 1in.
She helped guide Jamaica’s youth side to fifth place at the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup and progressed to feature in the senior side’s 2018 series against Trinidad & Tobago and England.
Dragons head coach Tania Hoffman said: “We worked really hard during the Superleague season to make top eight and, while Fast 5 wasn’t on our minds during that campaign, we were pleased to qualify.
“It’s been interesting getting used to the new rules and the space on court. It’s a quicker pace and will need to be on our mettle.
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“In the shooting circle the style of play goes against the grain of what we normally do and we’ve had to change our thinking there.
“My thanks to Knights Men’s Netball for coming down to Cardiff and putting us through our paces leading up to the tournament.
“We are looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd at the Copper Box this weekend and hope many of our fans will be making the trip to London or watching at home on Sky Sports.”
Celtic Dragons will take on Team Bath in the third game of the day. They will need to bag at least one victory in their first two games to progress and have a shot at taking home the big prize.
New Bath coach Jo Vann is delighted that Stacey Francis returns to Team Bath for the championship and told Sky Sports she is ‘excited to be back in blue and gold’.
The 10-strong Team Bath squad also includes new signing Fionnuala Toner.
Betsy Creak, who made her senior debut for Wales this summer, and University of Bath student Tash Pavelin are also in the squad along with 2019 Superleague players Kim Commane, Hannah Passmore, Mia Ritchie, Abi Robson, Laura Rudland and Rachel Shaw.
Lois Jackson is on the coaching team and Tracey Phillips is team manager.
It is the third year Team Bath are contesting Fast5, where matches are just 12 minutes long and a five-point line rewards those willing to brave a shot from distance. A Golden Buzzer also offers teams the chance to double their points during a two-minute powerplay.
Team Bath Netball Superleague head coach Anna Stembridge said: “It’s fast, furious, really good fun and tactically challenges coaches and athletes.
“The powerplays and 10-pointers mean momentum can change quickly and it’s just brilliant. I love it.”
Commane, who will captain the Blue & Gold, added: “I’ve been furiously practicing three and five-pointers. It’s an extremely different kind of game. Normally as a shooter I’d want to get closer to the posts, but this time I need to get as far away as possible. It’s so fast and competitive.”
Fast5 tickets are available now – visit www.fast5allstars.com for further details.
On the first day of Fast5 the eight teams play in a double-elimination format over five hours. Two wins and the team will advance to the semi-finals, while two losses will mean. Going out of the tournament.
Teams that have won one and lost one of their opening matches will play a deciding match for a place in the last four.
Defending champions Wasps will take on Severn Stars, who are boosted by the addition of All-Star Leana de Bruin.
Reigning Vitality Netball Superleague champions Manchester Thunder will face Loughborough Lightning. This is a fixture that will see Australian Diamonds legend Erin Bell up against Vitality Roses star Jo Harten for Thunder and Lightning respectively as they look to fire their sides into the final with their exception shooting skills.
Wales internationals and former Dragons players Nia Jones, Bethan Dyke and Georgia Rowe are all in the Severn Stars squad.
British Fast5 All-Star double-elimination draw:
Match 1: Wasps Netball v Severn Stars
Match 2: Manchester Thunder v Loughborough Lightning
Match 3: Team Bath v Celtic Dragons
Match 4: Surrey Storm v Saracens Mavericks
Match 5: Winner 1 v Winner 2 | Winner advances to semi-final 2
Match 6: Winner 3 v Winner 4 | Winner advances to semi-final 1
Match 7: Loser 1 v Loser 2
Match 8: Loser 3 v Loser 4
Match 9: Loser 5 v Winner 7 | Winner advances to semi-final 1
Match 10: Loser 6 v Winner 8 | Winner advances to semi-final 2
Fast5 squads:
Celtic Dragons: Abby Tyrrell, Paige Kindred, Sophie Morgan, Leila Thomas, Amy Clinton, Kyra Jones, Dee Bolakoro, Lucy Herdman, Rebekah Robinson, Latanya Wilson.
Team Bath: Stacey Francis, Laura Rudland, Betsy Creak, Hannah Passmore, Rachel Shaw, Mia Ritchie, Abigail Robson, Fionnuala Toner, Tash Pavelin, Kim Commane.
Loughborough Lightning: Ella Clark, Hannah Joseph, Claire Maxwell, Lucy Parize, Sam May, Alice Harvey, Annabel Roddy, Jasmin Odeogberin, Suzie Liverseidge and Jo Harten (All-Star) in their squad for Saturday’s tournament.
Surrey Storm: Mikki Austin, Karyn Bailey, Yas Parsons. Niamh Cooper, Yasmin Hodge-England, Katy Hughes, Lorraine Kowalewska, Sophie Hankin, Emily Gulvin, Alima Priest.
Saracens Mavericks: Jhaniele Fowler, Ama Agbeze, Sasha Corbin, Kadeen Corbin, Georgia Lees, Jo Trip, Beth Ecuyer-Dale, Paige McCalla, Steph Collard, Chloe Essam.
Severn Stars: Leana De Bruin, Alyssa-Jean Savelio, Nia Jones, Ella Powell-Davies, Liana Leota, Lucy Harris, Bethan Dyke, Paige Reed, Georgia Rowe, Tuaine Keenan.
Manchester Thunder: Erin Bell, Takondwa Lwazi, Joyce Mvula, Kathryn Turner, Ashleigh Neal, Emma Dovey, Caroline O’Hanlon, Rebekah Airey, Loreen Ngwira,Taylor Cullen.
Wasps: Jade Clarke, Beth Dix, Rachel Dunn, Amy Flanagan, Katie Harris, Ally Housley, Josie Huckle, Hannah Knights, Hannah Leighton, Tamsin Moala.
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Wasps Netball won the 2018 British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship defeating benecosMavericks 42-32 in the final at The Copper Box Arena, London.
MVP Rachel Dunn was pivotal in Wasps’ success, nailing the long shots for a series of successful three and five pointers.
2018 British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship results
Double Elimination Stage
Loughborough Lightning 19-21 Surrey Storm
Strathclyde Sirens 4-15 Severn Stars
Team Bath 23-18 Manchester Thunder
benecosMavericks 31-41 Wasps Netball
Surrey Storm 12-28 Severn Stars
Team Bath 23-37 Wasps Netball
Loughborough Lightning 32-28 Strathclyde Sirens
Manchester Thunder 22-32 benecosMavericks
Surrey Storm 15-6 Loughborough Lightning
Team Bath 21-47 benecosMavericks
Semi-Finals
Wasps Netball 45-36 Surrey Storm
Severn 8-38 benecosMavericks
The Final
Wasps Netball 42-32 benecosMavericks