Trinidadian netball star Samantha Wallace-Joseph has signed with Loughborough Lightning for the 2025 Netball Super League (NSL) season, following a high-profile and controversial departure from Australia’s NSW Swifts, marking a recent chapter in her illustrious profession.
The Trinidadian aim shooter joins the reigning back-to-back NSL champions in a transfer that’s being hailed as a major signing for the Lightning.
Wallace-Joseph, who spent seven extremely profitable seasons with the NSW Swifts in Australia’s Suncorp Tremendous Netball League, departs following a mutual resolution to half methods after a difficult interval marred by inside points. Regardless of her latest two-year hiatus attributable to knee surgical procedure, she stays one of many sport’s most distinguished figures, famend for her distinctive taking pictures expertise and management on the court docket.
Loughborough Lightning, thrilled with the acquisition, sees Wallace-Joseph as an important addition, particularly following the departure of their former taking pictures star Mary Cholhok to the Queensland Firebirds. With Wallace-Joseph’s wealth of worldwide expertise and a confirmed observe document of success, Lightning goals to keep up their dominance within the NSL.
Pleasure over the squad’s new signings
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Head Coach Vic Burgess expressed pleasure over the squad’s new signings, together with Wallace-Joseph, South African defender Shadine Van Der Merwe, former Manchester Thunder shooter Berri Neil, and Commonwealth Video games gold medalist Jodie Gibson. “As back-to-back defending champions, we’re conscious that there can be a goal on our again. With this in thoughts, we’ve recruited thrilling gamers throughout the court docket to make sure that we’re ready to battle for silverware as soon as once more,” Burgess mentioned.
Wallace-Joseph’s departure from the Swifts got here after a formidable tenure that noticed her turn into a central determine within the crew’s successes. Nevertheless, regardless of her contributions, the connection between the Swifts and Wallace-Joseph soured over time, finally resulting in their mutual resolution to half methods. Her transfer to Loughborough marks a brand new starting, providing her the chance to re-establish herself within the NSL and additional cement her standing as considered one of netball’s premier shooters.
With the 2025 season set to start in March, Wallace-Joseph can be desirous to hit the bottom working, utilizing her expertise to steer Loughborough Lightning of their quest for a 3rd consecutive title. She joins an already formidable roster that features key returning gamers resembling captain Nat Panagarry, Beth Cobden, and Ella Clark.
For Wallace-Joseph, this transfer represents an opportunity to refresh her profession, forsaking the turbulence of her closing days in Australia and embracing the chance to shine on the English stage.
