MEL MANSFIELD JOINS WASPS NETBALL

18th July 2016

WASPS NETBALL STRENGTHEN COACHING TEAM AHEAD OF 2017 VITALITY NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE

Wasps Netball have strengthened their coaching team with an ex-England international ahead of the new Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) campaign.

Wasps Director of Netball Tamsin Greenway has appointed Mel Mansfield from league rivals Hertfordshire Mavericks as her Assistant Coach, as the club continues its recruitment drive to build a competitive squad following its creation last month.

The appointment sees Tamsin and Mel reunited after they spent four successful years together at Surrey Storm between 2009 and 2013, initially as player and coach, then as a coaching team.

Mel played for England from 1993 to 1998 and has over 14 years’ of coaching experience.

Mel took a season out to complete her UK Coaching Certificate level 3 qualification after her spell at Surrey Storm. She was then appointed Head Coach of the University of Hertfordshire’s netball performance programme which she carried out alongside her role at Hertfordshire Mavericks. Mel is a senior lecturer at the University and will continue to lead the University Netball programme.

Speaking about Mel’s appointment, Tamsin said: “To be able to bring in a coach of Mel’s experience, knowledge and ability is fantastic.

“Mel is a highly-rated and successful coach, and we look forward to welcoming her to Wasps and the Ricoh Arena.

“The planning and development for Wasps is very exciting and there is incredible buzz and interest forming in Coventry and across the West Midlands with the arrival of Wasps Netball.”

The creation of Wasps Netball, which will play its home games in the Ricoh Arena’s Jaguar Exhibition Hall, comes after Wasps were named as one of three new teams to compete in the new VNSL.

Following her appointment, Mel added: “I am delighted to be back coaching with Tamsin again. We had a great partnership at Storm and created a culture and squad environment to be proud of. Choosing not to renew my contract with Mavericks was never going to be an easy decision or one I'd take lightly, but the opportunity to be reunited with Tamsin at a new and forward-thinking club like Wasps and build something from the ground up - just as we did together at Storm - was just too good to pass up. The opportunity to work with Tamsin again is just amazing.

“Tamsin is one of the best coaches in this country and together we have great plans to take netball forward. I just can't wait to get started."

Wasps Netball fans are being treated to an early feast of netball ahead of the new VNSL season when the Ricoh plays host to international netball on Sunday, 4 December when England take on Jamaica in the Vitality Netball International Series. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.tickets.sky.com .

For more information please visit www.waspsnetball.co.uk or contact:

Adam Manning: amanning@advent-communications.co.uk Tel: 024 76633636

Rob Mitchell, Head of Marketing, Wasps: rob.mitchell@wasps.co.uk Tel: 07788 426798