Loughborough Lightning Netball is pleased to announce that Lauren Nicholls, Lightning, and rising academy talent Alex Johnson will join the 2023 roster as additional training partners.
Nicholls left Lightning in 2022 to join fellow Midlands side Wasps Netball. In November 2022 Wasps Holdings Ltd entered administration, following which it was confirmed that Wasps Netball would no longer be eligible to compete in the Netball Super League.
England Netball’s response saw them adjust squad size rules to allow clubs to provide additional training partner spots and invite Wasps players into their 2023 squads.
With over 75 appearances for Lightning, including his participation in the championship team in 2021, head coach Vic Burgess said it was an “easy decision” to welcome Lauren back to Loughborough:
“Lauren has been part of the Lightning family for a long time. Bringing her on as our training partner for the 2023 season was an easy decision as she is a great team player and the girls love having her back around us.”
Also joining Nicholls is Alex Johnson, currently a student from Loughborough and a Lightning Under-21 player who has earned her first-ever spot on the Netball Super League team.
Johnson, who joined the East Midlands from Manchester Thunder, is currently balancing her studies alongside training for the NPL (National Performance League) Under-21 team and their University BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) team.
Burgess noted Johnson’s development since joining the program:
“Alex put up some great performances at the U21 NPL and BUCS levels and was named a temporary substitute for the NSL team in 2022. She has integrated well over the past 12 months and got to know the current squad and well deserves the chance to be a training partner next season.”
The two additions bring Lightning’s roster to seventeen, rounding out a successful and exciting signing window for the team.
The team is now in pre-season and preparing for the start of the 2023 season which kicks off on Saturday 11th February 2023 at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham. In Round 1, Lightning takes on Team Bath in the opening match of the Season Opener event. Limited tickets are still available for the event and can be purchased here.
When the roster is complete and the games are out, you too can join the Lightning family as a dedicated player throughout 2023
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