Top class netball comes to Cardiff this week when Wales host the Netball European Open Championships.
The England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Welsh teams all compete for the title, while Fiji Pearls are also in action at the Sport Wales National Centre.
They play each of the UK teams in World-ranking matches over the four days of the Championships.
Wales are currently seventh in the World rankings, ahead of Fiji (8th), Northern Ireland (10th) and Scotland (12th).
England are third, behind Australia and New Zealand.
“We are excited going into the first big competition of the year,” says Sarah Llewelyn, who was born in Swansea and now lives in Cardiff.
“The hard work started last summer and we are keen to put in some game time and see how performances go. Our aim is to be ready for the Commonwealth Games next April and this is an important tournament for everybody.
“Every fixture is crucial and we are really clear on our performance goals and what we want to get out of the games.”
Llewelyn, who is studying medicine at Cardiff University, plays goal-attack or goal-shooter for Welsh Superleague club Celtic Dragons, a team who have a passionate and loud fan base.
“The way Dragons and Wales link up is unique, virtually two teams pooled into one” says Llewelyn. “We train together, make connections and find combinations which will go in our favour.
“I have no doubt the Dragons’ Green Army fans will turn out in force to support Wales over the next four days.”
Wales have achieved their highest ever World ranking in seventh place and are aiming to push hard in a bid to overtake Malawi in sixth, while they know Fiji are just behind them and intent on making their matches this week count.
Captain Suzy Drane and her Welsh team play four matches over the next four days, while they are in Scotland next January for the Netball World Cup qualifying tournament.
Wales, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Fiji are among 12 teams from around the world who have qualified for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia next April.
“These Open Championships are an opportunity for the Wales squad to prepare for the Commonwealth Games,” says Welsh Netball’s Head of Performance Rosie Pretorius. “It will be of great advantage to play England and Scotland at home. We face both again in our Commonwealth Games group.”
England are European Open defending champions, while Fiji v Scotland is the opening match. Wales open against Northern Ireland this evening.
Welsh team: Suzy Drane (capt), Kelly Morgan (vice-captain), Georgia Rowe, Chelsea Lewis, Eleanor Roberts, Sarah Llewelyn, Cara Lea Moseley, Kyra Jones, Clare Jones, Bethan Dyke, Amanda Varey, Nia Jones, Leila Thomas, Christina Shaw, Fern Davies.
Wales management team: Trish Wilcox, Head Coach; Melanie Tuckwell, Assistant Coach; Donna Crossman, Team Manager; Clare Ursell, Team Physio.
Netball European Open Championships, fixtures:
Thursday, 5 October
4.25pm-6pm Fiji v Scotland
6.25pm-8pm Wales v Northern Ireland
Friday, 6 October
11.55am-1.30pm England v Scotland
5.55pm-7.30pm Fiji v Wales
7.55pm-9.30pm England v Northern Ireland
Saturday, 7 October
10.25am-Noon Fiji v Northern Ireland
3.55pm-5.30pm Wales v Scotland
5.55pm-7.30pm England v Fiji
Sunday, 8 October
9.55am-11.30am Scotland v Northern Ireland
11.55am-1.30pm England v Wales
Tickets for the tournament are available here: https://www.ticketline.co.uk/netball-europe-open-2017#bio