Manchester Thunder

Last updated

Manchester Thunder
Thunder1.jpg
Nickname(s)Black and Yellows
Founded 2001
Based in Manchester
Regions North West England
Home venue National Basketball Performance Centre
Belle Vue Sports Village
Head coachKaren Greig
CaptainNat Metcalf
Vice-captainKerry Almond, Shadine Van Der Merwe
League Netball Superleague
Website www.manchesterthunder.co.uk
Kit body blacksides.svg
Kit body netball.svg
Kit skirt netball.svg

Uniform

Manchester Thunder are an English netball team based in Manchester. Their senior team plays in the Netball Superleague. In 2005–06, Thunder were founding members of the league. They were Superleague champions in 2012, 2014, 2019 and 2022. Between 2001 and 2012 they played as Northern Thunder and were originally based in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Contents

History

Northern Thunder

Between 2001 and 2005 Northern Thunder, together with five other franchises – Northern Flames, London Tornadoes, London Hurricanes, University of Birmingham Blaze and Team Bath Force – competed in the Super Cup. Northern Thunder won the 2002 Super Cup. Northern Thunder players from the Super Cup era included Amanda Newton, Tracey Neville, Jade Clarke and Sara Bayman [1] [2] [3] [4]

In 2005 Northern Thunder were named as the North West England franchise in the new Netball Superleague. Together with Brunel Hurricanes, Celtic Dragons, Leeds Carnegie, Galleria Mavericks, Team Bath, Loughborough Lightning and Team Northumbria, Northern Thunder were founding members of the league. [5] In 2012, Thunder won their first Superleague title. Janelle Lawson scored 33 goals as they defeated Surrey Storm 57–55 in the grand final. [6]

Manchester Thunder

In 2012 Thunder relocated from Bury, Greater Manchester to Gorton. [7] [8] [9] They subsequently changed their name from Northern Thunder to Manchester Thunder ahead of the 2013 season. [10] In 2014 Thunder won their second Superleague title after defeating Surrey Storm 49–48 in the grand final. [11] In 2019 Thunder won their third Superleague title. [12] [13]

In the 2022 season Manchester Thunder finished the regular season undefeated, becoming the first team to do so over 20 games. They defeated Team Bath in the semi-finals and then beat Loughborough Lightning in the final to claim their 4th Superleague title.

Senior finals

Super Cup

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners UpVenue
2002 [3] [14] Northern Thunder University of Birmingham Blaze
2004 [15] Team Bath Force 49–43Northern Thunder Blackpool

Netball Superleague Grand Finals

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners UpVenue
2012 [6] [16] Northern Thunder57–55 Surrey Storm SportHouse
2014 [11] Manchester Thunder49–48 Surrey Storm Worcester Arena
2016 [17] [18] Surrey Storm 55–53Manchester Thunder Copper Box Arena
2019 [12] [13] Manchester Thunder57–52 Wasps Copper Box Arena
2022 [19] Manchester Thunder60–53 Loughborough Lightning Copper Box Arena

Mike Greenwood Trophy

Since 2012 Manchester Thunder have hosted the Manchester Invitational Tournament. The winners are awarded the Mike Greenwood Trophy, named in honour of the former Northern Thunder head coach who died in 2011. It is usually played during pre-season. [20] [21] [22]

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners UpVenue
2012Manchester Thunder
2013Manchester Thunder
2014 [20] Manchester Thunder13–12 Loughborough Lightning Thunderdome
2015 [21] [23] Team Bath 19–14Manchester Thunder
2016 [24] [25] Wasps 22–15 Team Bath Belle Vue Sports Village
2018 [26] Manchester Thunder31–29 benecosMavericks Oldham Leisure Centre [27]
2019 [22] [28] Manchester Thunder49–42 Saracens Mavericks Platt Lane Sports Complex

Home venues

Thunder train and play their home games at several venues and locations throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire. [29] Between 2008–09 and 2011, Northern Thunder played their home Superleague games at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, Greater Manchester. In 2012 Manchester Thunder began playing their home Superleague games at Wright Robinson College in Gorton. When Manchester Thunder played home games there, the arena was referred to as the Manchester Thunderdome. [7] [8] [9] [30] They have also played home Netball Superleague matches at Manchester Arena. [31] [32] In 2020 Manchester Thunder will play their home Superleague games at the National Basketball Performance Centre in the Belle Vue Sports Village. [33]

Notable players

2023 squad

2023 Manchester Thunder roster
PlayersCoaching staff
Nat.NamePosition(s)DoBHeight
Flag of England.svg Natalie Metcalf  (c)WA, GA9 December 19921.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Flag of England.svg Amy ClintonGS25 September 19971.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Flag of England.svg Kerry Almond (vc)GK22 February 19861.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Flag of England.svg Elia McCormick GD, GK25 November 19991.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Flag of England.svg Amy CarterC, WD28 October 19981.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Flag of England.svg Lois Pearson GA, WA20 September 19991.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Flag of South Africa.svg Shadine van der Merwe  (vc)GD, WD, GK25 November 19921.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Flag of South Africa.svg Lenize Potgieter GS2 May 19941.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Flag of England.svg Taylor McKevittWD, C16 December 19971.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Flag of England.svg Josie HuckleGK, GD24 September 19911.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Flag of Scotland.svg Iona ChristianWA, C23 December 19971.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Flag of England.svg Ella BowenGD, GK, WD1 January 20021.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Flag of England.svg Ruby ParkerGS, GA–
Flag of England.svg Harriet JonesGA, GS–
Flag of England.svg Yomi Eza-WilsonGD, GK–
Head coach
  • Karen Greig
Assistant coach
  • Gabrielle Towell


Notes
  • (c)– Captain
  • (cc)– Co-captain
  • (vc)– Vice-captain
  • Star of life gold.svg – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP)– Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website Last updated: 27 anuary 2023

Internationals

Flag of England.svg  England
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa

Sources: [36]

Head coaches

CoachYears
Flag of England.svg Mike Greenwood [9] [37] 2008–2011
Flag of England.svg Tracey Neville [9] [38] [39] 2011–2015
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dan Ryan [40] [41] 2015–2016
Flag of England.svg Karen Greig [42] 2016–

Honours

Related Research Articles

Tracey Anne Neville is a former England netball international and a former England head coach. As a player, she was a member of the England teams that won bronze medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 1999 World Netball Championships. As a head coach she guided Northern Thunder/Manchester Thunder to Netball Superleague titles in 2012 and 2014. Between 2015 and 2019 she served as England head coach. She subsequently guided England to the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and to bronze medals at the 2015 and 2019 Netball World Cups. In 2016 she was awarded an. Neville is the twin sister of Phil, younger sister of Gary and daughter of Neville Neville.

The Netball Super League is a top level netball league featuring teams from the United Kingdom. The league is organised by England Netball but features teams based in England, Wales and Scotland. The league was commenced playing at the 2005–06 season, replacing the Super Cup as the elite netball competition in England. Since 2016 the league has been sponsored by VitalityHealth and, as a result, it is also known as the Vitality Netball Superleague.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surrey Storm</span> English netball team

Surrey Storm is an English netball team based at the University of Surrey. Their senior team plays in the Netball Superleague. Between 2001 and 2005 they played in the Super Cup as London Hurricanes. After forming a partnership with Brunel University London, they became the Brunel Hurricanes. In 2005–06 they were founder members of the new Netball Superleague. Before the 2009–10 Netball Superleague season, they ended their partnership with Brunel University, relocated to the University of Surrey and became Surrey Storm. As Surrey Storm they were Superleague champions in 2015 and 2016.

Janelle Lawson is an Australian netball player. In 2012 she was a member of the Northern Thunder team that won the Netball Superleague title. During the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era she played for Perth Orioles and AIS Canberra Darters. During the ANZ Championship era she played for Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever.

The 2009–10 Netball Superleague was the fifth season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Team Bath. Surrey Storm finished top of the table after the regular season but subsequently lost to both Team Bath and Hertfordshire Mavericks in the playoffs. For a fourth season out of five, Team Bath defeated Mavericks in the grand final.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Jets</span> Former Netball Superleague team

Yorkshire Jets were an English netball team based at Leeds Beckett University. Their senior team played in the Netball Superleague. Between 2005–06 and 2011 they played as Leeds Met Carnegie or simply Leeds Carnegie. Together with the men's basketball, women's basketball, men's association football, women's association football and rugby union teams, the netball team was one of several sports teams associated with the Carnegie School of Physical Education, now part of Leeds Beckett University, that used the Leeds Carnegie brand name. In 2005–06, Leeds Carnegie were founder members of the Netball Superleague. As Leeds Carnegie, their best Superleague performance came in 2008–09, when they finished fourth. Between 2012 and 2016 they played as Yorkshire Jets. Their best Superleague performance as Yorkshire Jets came in 2015 when they again finished fourth. In June 2016 England Netball announced that Jets had lost their place in the Superleague and the franchise was subsequently wound up.

The 2015 Netball Superleague season was the tenth season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Surrey Storm after defeating Hertfordshire Mavericks in the grand final. Manchester Thunder finished top of the table following the regular season but they subsequently lost to Mavericks in the semi-finals. Thunder eventually finished third overall. Yorkshire Jets were the surprise team of the season, finishing third during the regular season and fourth overall. This was the first season in Superleague history that Team Bath did not qualify for the semi-finals.

The 2016 Surrey Storm season saw them retain the Netball Superleague title after defeating Manchester Thunder in the grand final. During the regular season they finish second behind Thunder.

The 2016 Netball Superleague Grand Final featured Surrey Storm and Manchester Thunder. Having previously played each other in 2012 and 2014, this was the third grand final featuring both teams. Thunder had won both the previous encounters. This was also Surrey Storm's third consecutive grand final, having lost to Thunder in 2014, they defeated Hertfordshire Mavericks in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wasps Netball</span> English netball team

Wasps Netball were an English netball team based at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry, Warwickshire. Wasps Netball was formed in 2016 as a partnership with the Premiership Rugby team, Wasps RFC. Since 2017 their senior team has played in the Netball Superleague. They were Superleague champions in 2017 and 2018. The holding company for the team were placed in insolvency on 17 October 2022 and a new company called "Wasps Netball Limited" was incorporated with Companies House on 26 October 2022.

The 2012 Netball Superleague season was the seventh season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Northern Thunder. In the grand final Northern Thunder defeated Surrey Storm. 2012 saw the introduction of a new format, featuring three distinct phases, including a Showdown Weekend.

The 2012 Netball Superleague Grand Final featured Northern Thunder and Surrey Storm. It was the first grand final not to feature either Team Bath or Mavericks. Northern Thunder won their first Superleague title.

The 2013 Netball Superleague season was the eighth season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Team Bath who defeated Celtic Dragons in the grand final. 2013 used a three phases format similar to 2012.

The 2014 Netball Superleague season was the ninth season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Manchester Thunder. Surrey Storm finished top of the table following the regular season and remained unbeaten throughout the season until they were defeated in the grand final by Manchester Thunder. This season the league was sponsored by Zeo, a soft drinks firm.

The 2014 Netball Superleague Grand Final featured Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm. This was the second grand final featuring Thunder and Storm. The two teams previously met in the 2012 grand final which Thunder won by two points. After winning the regular season without losing a match, Storm, with a team featuring player/coach Tamsin Greenway and Rachel Dunn, started the final as favourites. At half-time they were leading 26–22 and after three quarters were still ahead at 38–36. However Thunder, coached by Tracey Neville and featuring Sara Bayman, remained a threat throughout the match. With the score at 48–48 and twenty five seconds on the clock, pressure from Jodie Gibson saw Storm lose possession. Thunder pounced on a loose ball and fed it to Helen Housby who subsequently netted a very late winner.

The 2016 Netball Superleague season was the eleventh season of the Netball Superleague. The league was won by Surrey Storm after defeating Manchester Thunder in the grand final. Thunder finished top of the table following the regular season. The league was sponsored by VitalityHealth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Team Bath netball season</span> Team Bath netball season

The 2016 Team Bath netball season saw Team Bath finish third overall in the 2016 Netball Superleague. In the third-place play-off they defeated Hertfordshire Mavericks 49–48 to finish the season as bronze medallists. During the regular season they finished fourth, level on points with Surrey Storm and Hertfordshire Mavericks in second and third place respectively. Manchester Thunder topped the table. Team Bath lost 53–46 at Manchester Thunder in the play-off semi-finals.

The 2017 Team Bath netball season saw Team Bath finish fourth overall in the 2017 Netball Superleague. Team Bath won seven games in a row to finish fourth in the regular season. Their qualification for the play-offs was only secured on the last day. In the semifinal they were beaten by Loughborough Lightning. They went on to finish fourth overall after defeat to Manchester Thunder in the 3rd/4th place play-off.

The 2020 Team Bath netball season will see Team Bath play in the 2020 Netball Superleague.

Dan Ryan is an Australian netball player, coach, sports journalist and broadcaster. He is currently the head coach of the West Coast Fever in the Australian Suncorp Super Netball competition.

References

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  2. ↑ "Classy ladies". www.chroniclelive.co.uk. 14 May 2003. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
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  4. ↑ "Thunder struck by Force power". www.sportfocus.com. 24 May 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Dr. Louise Mansfield & Dr. Lara Killick (1 January 2012). "The UK Netball Superleague: A Case Study of Franchising in Elite Women's Sport" (PDF). Brunel University, School of Sport and Education, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK; and University of the Pacific, Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Science, Stockton, CA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
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  7. 1 2 "Northern Thunder put netball on map with a bang". www.burytimes.co.uk. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Welcome to the Thunderdome as netball stars come to Gorton". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Netball News from around the globe". www.womensportreport.com. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "Manchester Thunder: Superleague winners in name change". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Netball Superleague: Manchester Thunder 49-48 Surrey Storm". www.bbc.co.uk. 26 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Manchester Thunder crowned Superleague Champions after epic showdown with Wasps". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 18 May 2019. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Netball Superleague Grand Final: Manchester Thunder win 57-52 against Wasps". www.bbc.co.uk. 19 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  14. ↑ "Sports Round-up". www.telegraph.co.uk. 27 May 2002. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
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  18. ↑ "Netball Superleague 2016: Surrey Storm beat Manchester Thunder to retain title". www.bbc.co.uk. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "Thunder beat Lightning to win Superleague title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Manchester Thunder clinch third MGT tournament title". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 30 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  21. 1 2 "MGT 2015 - Write Up". www.manchesterthunder.com. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  22. 1 2 "Thunder win Mike Greenwood Trophy". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  23. ↑ "Mike Greenwood Trophy win caps positive pre-season campaign for Team Bath Netball". www.teambath.com. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  24. ↑ "Mike Greenwood Trophy Report 2016". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "Team Bath reach final of Mike Greenwood Trophy in promising start to netball pre-season campaign". www.teambath.com. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "Thunder win 2018 Mike Greenwood Trophy". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  27. ↑ "The Mike Greenwood Trophy 2018". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  28. ↑ "Manchester Thunder continue strong Vitality Netball Superleague pre-season campaign". www.skysports.com. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  29. ↑ "Locations". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  30. ↑ "Manchester Thunder vs Surrey Storm". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  31. ↑ "Thunder suffer shock defeat in Semi-Final Showdown". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  32. ↑ "Match report: Manchester Thunder 53 Wasps 42". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  33. ↑ "Fixtures Superleague 2020". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  34. ↑ "Thunder unveil Erin Bell as first All-Star for Fast5 Championship". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  35. ↑ "Final All-Stars Confirmed for Fast5". www.fast5allstars.com. 11 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  36. ↑ "Manchester Thunder Announce New Captain". Manchester Thunder Supporters Club. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  37. ↑ "In Memory of Mike Greenwood 1947 – 2011". www.oldhamnetball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "Tracey Neville handed head job at Northern Thunder". www.bbc.co.uk. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  39. ↑ "Tracey Neville named as Interim England Netball Head Coach". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  40. ↑ "Dan Ryan returns to Manchester Thunder". www.manchesterthunder.co.uk. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  41. ↑ "Thunder name new Coach". www.manchesterthunder.com. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  42. ↑ "Karen Greig appointed Manchester Thunder head coach". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
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