New Assistant Coach for Severn Stars
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Worcester's new professional netball club, Severn Stars, has appointed an assistant coach as it gears up for the final round of trials.
Severn Stars, a professional franchise for the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire in the Vitality Netball Superleague, can confirm that Sam Bird has joined the team.
Formerly head coach at the Hertfordshire Mavericks, she has extensive experience in the Superleague.
Bird had been with the Mavericks for 11 years and became head coach in 2014, leading them into the Superleague play-offs for each of the last two seasons.
She said: "I am so excited to be involved with Severn Stars. Anita, Mo'onia and Pam are a fantastic group of energetic and knowledgeable coaches and I'm very much looking forward to working with them and the selected squad.
"After 11 years of coaching at Mavericks I'm looking forward to working in a new environment and with top quality players and impressive facilities.
"Mo'onia is very keen to develop the standard of English players and this is an excellent opportunity for me to be involved with that programme."
Bird has played for England from Under 16 to Senior level, but was forced to retire from playing aged 24 due to a knee injury.
She went on to coach at county and club level before joining the Mavericks.
Bird has recently been appointed England netball technical coach for the mid court, working with other key performance coaches, and has been a national selector for England netball for the last three years.
This latest signing follows other recent high-profile appointments, which have seen Australian international Mo'onia Gerrard taking up the role of head coach and Pamela Cookey the joint Director of Netball.
The second round of trials for the new team is at the University of Worcester Arena tomorrow, Wednesday, September 21, from 6pm-10pm.