Welsh netball players are preparing for a series of huge challenges over the first six months of 2018.
They are relishing the prospect of going for glory in World Cup qualifiers, Vitality Netball Superleague and the Commonwealth Games.
First up are the Netball Europe World Cup qualifiers in Perth, Scotland when Wales, Scottish Thistles and Northern Ireland fight it out for two places. England automatically qualify because they are hosting the 2019 finals.
The qualifying matches are at the Perth University’s Academy of Sport and Wellbeing and the first match is Scottish Thistles against Wales on Friday, January 19 (7.30pm).
Head coach Trish Wilcox and her Welsh team then play Northern Ireland on Saturday (3pm) before Scotland and Ireland go head-to-head the next day (Noon).
Cardiff-based Celtic Dragons have named a fully Welsh Superleague squad and that will help head coach Trish Wilcox and her players prepare for the major international tests ahead.
Dragons are Wales’ representatives in the 10-team Vitality Netball Superleague. Dragons bring together the best of Welsh netball talent, supported by their passionate #GreenArmy fans.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to pull on the green dress and play in front of our GreenArmy supporters,” says club captain Suzy Drane, who is from St Mellons.
“It’s a privilege to be named captain, working with great management and team-mates in what will be a hugely important year for the Welsh franchise.
“Our supporters are important to every player and we want all home fixtures to be sold out.”
Superleague netball will take a break mid-March to late April while England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland compete at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
With the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games taking place from the 5th-15th April 5 to April 15 Superleague will take a break after round seven concludes in mid-March.
Netball Europe World Cup qualifiers: Friday, January 19 Wales v Scottish Thistles (7.30pm); Saturday, 20 Northern Ireland v Wales (3pm); Sunday, 21, Scottish Thistles v Northern Ireland (Noon).
Cardiff-based Dragons start their Superleague campaign with back-to-back home fixtures. benecosMavericks are visitors to the Wales National Sports Centre on Monday, February 12 followed by Team Bath on the following Saturday (both 7pm).
Dragons will be live on Sky Sports during May when they host Loughborough Lightning.
Tickets are now on sale. Head to Ticketline to get yours: https://tinyurl.com/ycl6px69
2018 Vitality Netball Superleague – fixture list
February
Monday 12: Celtic Dragons v benecosMavericks, 7pm
Monday 19: Celtic Dragons v Team Bath, 7pm
Saturday 24: Loughborough Lightning v Celtic Dragons, 6pm
Monday 26: Celtic Dragons v Surrey Storm, 7pm
March
Saturday 3: Manchester Thunder v Celtic Dragons, 5pm
Saturday 10: Celtic Dragons v Severn Stars, 4pm
Sunday 18: Wasps Netball v Celtic Dragons, 6pm
Commonwealth Games April 5 to April 15 2018 – Vitality Netball Superleague takes a break
April
Monday 28: UWS Sirens v Celtic Dragons, 7pm
Saturday 28: Celtic Dragons v Team Northumbria, 4pm
May
Friday 4: Team Bath v Celtic Dragons, 7:30pm
Monday 7: Surrey Storm v Celtic Dragons, 3pm
Monday 14: Celtic Dragons v Loughborough Lightning, 7pm (Live on Sky)
Saturday 19: benecosMavericks v Celtic Dragons, TBC
Friday 25: Celtic Dragons v Manchester Thunder, 7pm
June
Saturday 2: Team Northumbria v Celtic Dragons, 6pm
Saturday 9: Celtic Dragons v Wasps Netball, 4pm
Saturday 16: Celtic Dragons v UWS Sirens, 4pm
Monday 25: Severn Stars v Celtic Dragons, 7:30pm