Former Celtic Dragons and Wales shooters Georgia Rowe and Cara Lea Moseley have crossed the Severn Bridge to join Severn Stars in the new Vitality Superleague season.
They head into England while Wales’ top shooter, Chelsea Lewis, has opted to return home from Team Bath after two seasons away.
Lewis was this week among four new signings announced by the Celtic Dragons as they plan their fightback from the basement section of the Superleague.
Suzy Drane, Kyra Jones and Bethan Dyke, mainstays of the Dragons and the Wales teams, have all extended their stays at the Welsh capital club. The return of Lewis is a major coup for new head coach Tania Hoffman.
So excited to be joining the Celtic dragons for the 2019 season. Looking forward to working with a brand new coach and a brand new dragons team. #Watchthisspace #Cantwaittogetstarted https://t.co/Hbuj61H61U
— Chelsea Lewis (@chel_c) September 28, 2018
Moseley returned to the Dragons set-up last year after taking time out, but has now opted to move on to extend her career at the highest level.
With more than 50 Welsh caps and two World Cup and two Commonwealth Games campaigns behind her she will bring massive experience to the Stars’ line-up.
The 6ft 5in tall Rowe split her two spells at the Dragons with a season at Team Northumbria and at 23 is just moving into her prime. She moved through the Welsh age groups to earn senior honours at the 2015 World Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Severn Stars, who play out of the University of Worcester Arena, moved up two places in the league last season from eight to sixth.
It ended one win each last season between the Stars and the Dragons and they are due to clash in the third round of the 2019 campaign in Worcester at the end of January.
The Welsh duo will link-up with another former Dragon and Welsh international at the Stars in goal keeper/goal defence, Rebecca Oatley.
Stars’ head coach Sam Bird said: “We’re delighted to have Georgia and Cara with us. Georgia has been improving year on year in the VNSL and is now a hugely effective shooter.
“Cara impressed me last year playing for Dragons and Wales. She is a clear leader on court and plays a smart intelligent game, while between them Cara and Georgia will provide two of the tallest shooters in the VNSL and will combine brilliantly with our other shooters in our top 10.”
Moseley combines elite netball with her work as a psychologist and her psychology PhD studies. She has proved that even at 31 she is nowhere near her sell-by date just yet.
“I hope I will play some of my best netball yet, and make a really positive contribution to the Stars attack,” said Moseley.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team and seeing what we can do on court this season.”
Lovely to have our little #Welsh @SevernStars contingent growing #cymruambyth ⭐️ @caralea21 @georgiarowey @JonesVanessaj1 pic.twitter.com/iNcOcVUHfC
— Becky Oatley (@Beckythecycler) October 4, 2018
Rowe, who lives in Newport and who works as an early years’ practitioner, is one of the tallest shooters in the tournament and is developing each year having only taken up the sport seriously at 17. It will be her fifth season in Superleague.
“I’m really looking forward to improving my game whilst facing new challenges. I want to work hard and become a much better and more dominant shooter for my new team,” said Rowe.
“I am most looking forward to working alongside a new group of players and coaches and building new friendships and relationships on and off the court. I will bring a positive and open attitude, as well as youth, confidence, fight and height.”
Moseley and Rowe join Stars’ other signings so far, Jodie Gibson, Iona Darroch, Lucy Harris, Maryka Holtzhausen and Sam Cook.