Team Bath Netball say they are determined to “go out with a bang” as they prepare for their last-ever Super League fixture this weekend.
Team Bath in the Netball Super League | Photo © Will Cooper / Fever Pitch
At the end of May the University of Bath-based team were devastated after being informed by England Netball that they had not been granted a licence to continue in the Netball Super League past the end of this season.
In a statement they said: “Team Bath Netball have actively engaged with England Netball throughout the consultation and tender process for NSL 2.0 and have not only supported the ambitions of the league but have committed time and resource to proactively prepare the franchise for the next chapter of elite netball in the UK.
“Despite submitting a tender that we believe presented an exciting and ambitious proposal for Netball Super League in the South West, our tender did not meet all of the expected operating standards. One specific area in which the tender fell short of the expected operating standards related to the lack of arena provision.
“Moving netball into larger arenas is a core part of England Netball’s roadmap for NSL 2.0, and whilst discussions have been ongoing with potential partners in respect to this area, at present there are no arenas in the region that meet England Netball’s NSL 2.0 requirements.
“For more than two decades, the University of Bath has been an ever-present leader and supporter of high-performance netball, and the success of the Team Bath franchise is considered, by many, as the catalyst for the journey elite netball has been on in the UK.
“In addition to being a founding member of the Super League, Team Bath remains the most successful club in the history of the league, having won the title five times, and it has been the origin for countless legends of the game – many of whom are still leading the way in elite netball.”
Whilst the panel’s decision excludes Team Bath from taking part in the NSL 2.0 competition, the team have said they are actively working with England Netball to safeguard the future of the Team Bath pathway.
Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport for Team Bath, praised the dedication and determination of all the staff and volunteers and thanked the fans for their steadfast support.
He added: “We would also like to record our appreciation to our main partners, Bath Building Society, Rengen Developments and Flyhawk, who have given the franchise and the players such great support and who have consistently shared in our passion for netball.”
This Saturday, 15th June, the Blue & Gold make the journey across the Severn Bridge to face Cardiff Dragons (6pm centre-pass) and will be cheered on by a contingent of travelling fans at the Utilita Arena.
The match, round two of the Battle of the Bridge, is also being shown live on BBC Sport.
Team Bath go into the match on the back of a 72-57 defeat at semi-finalists Severn Stars last Friday. It was a last-ever home match for Stars, who are also leaving the Super League at the end of the 2024 season.
Bath Netball Head Coach Asha Francis said her players want to put on a show on Saturday: “This is one last opportunity, one last chance to play together, and we will give it everything.
“There were just six goals separating the sides when we met at the Team Bath Arena in April and we know there is a real opportunity to win this game.”
Asha added: “It might be the end of Team Bath but it’s not the end of the players’ careers and they are true professionals. They are all competitors and want Team Bath to go out with a bang.
“We are all human and we saw in our final home game against Strathclyde Sirens that it is hard to park those emotions.
“There is no doubt some of that will still be there but we have had more time to process the news now and we are determined to put out a performance to be proud of.”
