NETBALL: ENGLAND internationals Natalie Haythornthwaite and Rachel Dunn will return to spearhead Wasps Netball’s 2018 Superleague title defence after agreeing to return to the Ricoh Arena.
The pair will be back in black and gold for the 2018 Superleague season, after winning the Fast 5 World Series with the national team in October.
Wasps have also announced the return of World Youth Cup bronze medallist Francesca Williams and talented mid-court dynamo Lucy Harris as the team moves closer to finalising its squad for the new season.
Goal attack Haythornthwaite was one of the stars of Wasps Netball’s title winning campaign earlier this year, proving a lethal attacking combination with veteran goal shooter Dunn.
Dunn finished last season as the league’s fourth leading scorer, scoring 86 per cent of her shots with 618 goals from 716 attempts. Haythornthwaite registered 180 goals in her supporting role.
Elsewhere Williams captained the England Under-21 team at the World Youth Cup in Botswana and can play in either defensive position.
Harris also starred for the team last season, after injuries in the mid-court gave her an opportunity to shine.
Director of netball Tamsin Greenway said: “These are four players we were determined to bring back and all will play an integral part for the team during the 2018 season.
“Natalie Haythornthwaite is one of England’s top senior players, our key attacking player and was a real game changer for us last season.
“It’s vital we can keep hold of players of her calibre if we are to have sustained success here at Wasps.
“We have had a good pre-season so far, but we know there is a lot of hard groundwork to do to make sure we are ready for the start of the season next year.
“We’re confident we will be at the top of our game and an improved side from last season on opening night in February.”