The UK’s Netball Super League (NSL) returned this weekend, and as expected international players stole the show as all 10 teams took to court in Nottingham.
The Netball Family outside of the UK that tuned in on NetballPass were treated to 5 show stopping games, with title defenders Loughborough Lightning, as well as Severn Stars, Team Bath, and Manchester Thunder all taking their first wins of the season – whilst Cardiff Dragons vs Saracens Mavericks ended in a draw.
Uganda and Loughborough Lightning’s Mary Cholhok started this season how she finished last, topping the goals scored chart already with 51 goals to her name and helping her Lightning side to a 63-50 win over Storm.
Whilst England Rose and London Pulse star Funmi Fadoju also did the same making 15 deflections for Pulse, putting her top of the deflections charts – just where she finished the 2023 season.
Despite Fajoju’s standout performance, Pulse still fell to the hands of Thunder who took the win 40-56.
The NSL welcomed some new international talent this year too, including Australia’s Jacqui Newton and South Africa’s Sammy Ngubane and Nicola Smith.
All three of these players found themselves high up in the league’s statistics charts after their debuts.
Newton was key in the Dragons 48-48 draw against Mavericks as she made three intercepts putting her 5th in the leagues intercepts charts.
Whilst Nicola Smith was just as vital as Lightning struck down Storm, making 8 deflections, the second highest of the weekend.
Despite Sirens marginally losing their first game of the season against Bath 49-53, Sammy Ngubane also made a strong Sirens and NSL debut as she scored 27 goals putting her 6th in the leagues goal scored charts at this early stage.
You can test your international player knowledge now, by playing our new game matching the NSL international players to the correct domestic league team here.
International fans can also catch up on the Season Opener action on NetballPass, here.
To view all the results, tables, statistics, and where you can watch information for future rounds, visit our NSL page, here.