Netball Unlocked Podcast

With Paul away, Chloe is joined by Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time NSL winner Jodie Gibson to assess a week of fireworks on and off the court in Round 2 of the Netball Super League 2026.The episode begins by catching up with Jodie and getting a special look behind her retirement decision, before turning to the news and major talking points of the round.Jodie and Chloe consider the themes of physicality, umpiring, accountability and the use of social media as they reflect on the reaction surrounding a play by Alicia Scholes in the Pulse v Dragons game, the subsequent online back-and-forth and the official league statement that followed.All Round 2 matches are up for discussion, with Jodie sharing her unique insights and takes on each game. Chloe then leads the preview of the Round 3 games, inviting Jodie to share her key match-ups and predictions.Enjoy! 

Round one of the 2026 NSL season is in the books, inviting Paul and Chloe to deep dive into a thrilling opening weekend of action.All four games are up for analysis, with Chloe getting her tactics board out to help recap London Pulse v Manchester Thunder, including an exceptional performance from the reigning champions’ captain, Zara Everitt.This episode also looks back on some of the early teething issues and the NSL’s statement on streaming, before previewing the league’s round two fixtures.Friday 6 March: LexisNexis Dragons v London Pulse - 7 pmFriday 6 March: Loughborough Lightning v NIC Leeds Rhinos - 7:30 pmSaturday 7 March: AO Manchester Thunder v London Mavericks - 5 pmSunday 8 March: Birmingham Panthers v Nottingham Forest - 4 pm

Paul and Chloe continue their countdown to the 2026 NSL season, with the four teams that made last season's playoffs under the microscope.Can the champions London Pulse go back-to-back? Can Loughborough Lightning build on the Super Cup triumph and win a fourth title in five seasons? Are Manchester Thunder ready to put an injury-hit 2025 behind them? And can London Mavericks see off the threat to the fourth place they took to end their long wait last season.Our guests for the show are returning Thunder and England star Eleanor Cardwell and Mavericks midcourt sensation Suzie Liverseidge who discuss England ambition as well as a big year domestically.On top of the team-by-team guides, we will take a look ahead to the four games in round one as Pulse host Thunder, Forest travel to Mavericks, Dragons head to Loughborough, and Panthers welcome Rhinos.And there's the all-important predictions as Paul and Chloe cast their verdict on the top four, the Grand Final and the champions and pick three of the players they are most excited to see this season.#NSL #Netball #NetballSuperLeague

Paul and Chloe preview the 2026 NSL season, starting with the four teams that missed the playoffs.Which of LexisNexis Dragons, Leeds Rhinos, Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest are best equipped to challenge for the top four?We run through the squads, the new arrivals, the coaching changes and their venues and assess what can each of the four teams expect to achieve in the upcoming season.There's a couple of special interviews with you, as Rhinos new recruit Yomi Wilson discusses her move across the Pennines from Manchester Thunder, and Panther Tiana Metuarau opens up on a move to the UK from New Zealand.As well as our team-by-team previews we catch up on the major news in the Super League, touch on England's series defeat in South Africa and review the Super Cup as Loughborough Lightning beat London Pulse in the final.#NSL #Netball #NetballSuperLeague

Chloe and Paul kick off Season Two of the pod with a return for Manchester Thunder Franchise Director and Head Coach Karen Greig.We get the lowdown on the off season for Thunder, how new arrivals Eleanor Cardwell and Sophie Fawns are bedding in an a fact finding mission to Australia for Karen.We debate the international season so far, with an in-depth look at England's tour to South Africa - and consider whether the Roses know their best starting seven, and just how big a medal threat the Proteas have become.We'll touch on Jamaica's trip to Australia as the final international matches before the Commonwealth Games wrap up.And there's an early peek into preparations for the 2026 Netball Super League season.

In the latest episode of Netball Unlocked, Chloe is joined by former England Rose and Manchester Thunder assistant coach Laura Malcolm to reflect on a thrilling England v New Zealand series.Where did the Roses succeed? Where can they do better? Why did they lose that all-important third test?  Laura dives into the details, and we hear from Jess Thirlby and Fran Williams, who share their thoughts after the game.With Jamaica now on the horizon, Laura and Chloe turn their analysis on the upcoming two-game test series, highlighting the new-look Jamaica squad and what success might look like for England.And that’s not all. We also hear from Laura on her life as a new mum, why she decided to start a podcast of her own - ‘Mummy’s Got Game’ - and what she’s looking forward to next year when she returns from maternity leave ahead of the 2026 Netball Super League season.Listen to Laura’s new podcast '⁠Mummy's Got Game⁠' on Spotify now. Instagram: @mummysgotgamepodEnjoy!

For the latest in our Big Interview series, we are joined by England’s newest capped Rose: Jasmine Brown. In a wide-ranging conversation, we take a look back on Jaz’s debut and the unique story that led her to leave tennis to start netball at such a late age. She shares more about her meteoric debut, how she stays grounded and why she has decided to leave Birmingham for Leeds ahead of the 2026 Netball Super League season.Would Jaz ever consider playing in Super Netball? What vision does she have for netball as it continues to grow? Find out more in this exclusive interview.

It's international season on the netball calendar, so Paul and Chloe are back to dive into what we've seen, what's coming up and what it all means.With a Commonwealth Games in less than 12 months, and a World Cup in less than two years there is plenty to debate - and plenty of questions, with not many answers....yet.Stick with Netball Unlocked and we will guide you through what promises to be a dramatic two years.We kick off by checking in on the latest additions to Chloe's cool netball merch, and wonder when we might get similar in the NSL and there's some hot takes on where netball finds itself in the content world.Then it's on to the important stuff as we reflect on a thrilling Constellation Cup between Australia and New Zealand and consider why home advantage is so important.There are repercussions too as Sunday Aryang suffers a horrible injury (get well soon Sunday), and the Silver Ferns coaching controversy remains in a somewhat confused state.Noeline Taurua WILL be in charge for the series against England, so Paul and Chloe take a look through the Roses squad that will be on duty and has been together since August.What can Jess Thirlby expect and where do England need to be with a busy international period coming up either side of Christmas?And finally Chloe was a guest of Manchester Thunder at their recent Coaching Conference, so there are bonus interviews with Chris Downham, Sharni Layton, Bex Ward and Karen Greig talking S&C, coaching, nutrition and plenty more besides

In a very special Big Interview episode of the Netball Unlocked podcast, Chloe is joined by the one and only Sharni Layton, Australian netball legend, two-time world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.In a wide-ranging chat, Chloe and Sharni go right into the deep end, discussing the Super Netball grand final and Sharni’s role in helping the Vixens secure an unlikely title. They then get into the weeds of Sharni’s budding coaching career, including how she has fallen in love with her role at England Netball, where she’ll be over the international window. The conversation also touches on Sharni’s neurodivergence, the importance of empowering players and looks to the future of netball, with a call to arms for current players to start building stronger communities for themselves and the sport. Enjoy!

Chloe Merrell is rejoined by a returning Paul Prenderville to deliver the latest news from around the netball world and there is a lot to get through as the final announcements of the Netball Super League squads are dissected.Paul delivers his verdict on some of the notable movers and shakers from the signing window and what it might mean for the 2026 NSL season, while Chloe offers her thoughts on the big picture for domestic netball.After that it's onto the Netball World Youth Cup, and a tournament that delivered plenty on the court, but what about off it? Chloe and Paul get stuck into the issues that meant the impact was not as big as it could have been.And with a busy international window now underway, the Unlocked crew deliver their thoughts on NZ v RSA and the drama surrounding Silver Ferns coach Nolene Taurua.

Next up in our line of longer interviews, we welcome Leeds Rhinos’ blockbuster signing Sanmarie Visser to the chair.In an engaging conversation, Sanmarie reflects on her transformative year in netball, from her turbulent debut with the SPAR Proteas to her stunning move to SSN and now to Leeds Rhinos for the Netball Super League 2025/25 season.  She shares her journey of overcoming adversity, the sisterhood she uncovered at the Thunderbirds, and what she believes makes Latanya Wilson so special.Away from club netball, Sanmarie also shares her unique origin story, starting in Upington, and why she decided to pursue netball over a promising athletics career. We turn to the Proteas and their upcoming test series against the world’s best and discuss Sanmarie’s own personal goals before she heads to the UK to team up with Rhinos.If you enjoy this episode, please do comment, like and follow the podcast. We appreciate all the ongoing support!

In the latest instalment of our Big Interview series, Chloe is joined by Manchester Thunder’s star recruit Sophie Fawns to discuss her blockbuster move from Suncorp Super Netball to the Netball Super League.At 21 years old, Sophie stands apart with four years of Super Netball after diligently rising up the New South Wales netball pathways from her home in Wagga Wagga. The wide-ranging conversation touches on a series of different topics, from Sophie’s decision to leave the Swifts to her upbringing in Wagga Wagga, and to her dream of one day becoming an Australian Diamond. Sophie also shares details about her life away from the court, including her ambition to raise awareness around the importance of female health after losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2021, before she could see her become a fully fledged Swift. If you enjoy this episode, please do like, subscribe and share the podcast. 

After a short summer break, The Netball Unlocked podcast is back in action, and there’s more than enough to discuss with the Netball Super League signing window in full swing.With Paul away, Chloe is joined by friend of the podcast Kerry Almond to assess the lay of the land in what has been a busy offseason.  Going team by team, Chloe and Kerry reflect on the most up-to-date announcements, analyse what they say about the club’s intentions, and imagine what might still be on the way with signings still coming in.Spoiler alert: there’s some exclusive intel from Kerry!And with that all done, they then look ahead to what promises to be an exciting international window with top teams (women, mixed and men’s) in action across both hemispheres. It certainly feels good to be back! 

In the latest instalment of our Unlocked Big Interview series, Chloe sits down with London Mavericks and England goal keeper Razia Quashie to discuss the highs and lows of life in netball.The hour-long conversation touches on a range of topics, from Raz’s recent injury to life at London Mavericks, to the loss of her father, to her continued struggle with online abuse and how it nearly caused her to walk away from the sport altogether.Raz tells the story of rebuilding her love for the game through coaching school children and how she is determined to bring home a title to Mavericks, come what may. 

The second part of our Netball Super League season 2025 wrap-up is here! Paul, Chloe, and Clare Jones look back on the season that was, starting first by assessing the All Star VII and how that stacks up against our own Netball Unlocked season VII. We then take on the role of Franchise Director and go team-by-team, assessing what personnel changes we might make ahead of 2026.Finally, we think big picture and answer some listener questions before teasing our next Big Unlocked interview with Razia Quashie.

With two games left to go, Paul and Chloe dive into two very different Netball Super League Semi-Finals and look ahead to this week’s Preliminary Final.London Pulse’s epic victory over Loughborough Lightning is on the menu as Chloe gets her Clip Art tools out to break down how the game was won.Paul was at the Copper Box, so we hear from Zara Everitt, Olivia Tchine, and Nat Panagarry after one of the games of the season.Meanwhile, Chloe was in Manchester for a big Thunder win as they ended London Mavericks' season with an emphatic victory to reach the Preliminary Final.Suzie Liverseidge gives us a Mavs perspective with Nicola Smith, and Elmeré van der Berg takes us inside the celebrations, and they reveal all on their paddling pool...Paul and Chloe then look ahead to Thunder v Lightning and the right to face Pulse at The O2, and on top of all that, break down the news, including huge details on changes to the Netball World Cup.

It’s Netball Super League semi-final week and of course here at Netball Unlocked we’ve gone super sized. Clear your schedules and prepare to go inside all four camps with Grand Final dreams at stakeWe talk to the defending champions Loughborough Lightning and captain Nat Panagarry, the regular season table toppers London Pulse and Sophie Kelly, plus there is Izzi Phillips on London Mavericks potential to cause some chaos, and Nicola Smith on Manchester Thunder getting full strength at the perfect time.Paul and Chloe dive into the talking points from the final round of Netball Super League action, marvel at Nottingham Forest’s Rolene Streutker’s debut season and break down where the minor and major semi-finals could be won and lost.Plus both make their prediction for a huge semifinal night.

With Paul out of action this week, Chloe is joined by podcast favourite Ella Powell-Davies to look back over a consequential Round 13, in which Nottingham Forest were eliminated from the top four race, giving us our teams for the semi-finals.We look back at the round and consider where games were won and lost, and reflect more broadly on how injuries have shaped the season so far and how they could still play a part in what’s to come.Meaty analysis to one side, we then take a quick break from the Netball Super League and pivot to England with Paul leading an exclusive one-on-one interview with head coach Jess Thirlby. With the dust now settled over selections, Jess shares more about the process, including what exactly the role of “Futures” is in the overall program.Ella then opens up on the differences between England's and Wales' selection processes, sharing special insight into the gruelling fitness tests the players must endure to show they’re ready for the international stage.Back to the NSL, we then preview Round 14, after which we will learn who our regular season winner is and consider what it’s like to have a “dress rehearsal” of the 3v4 match-up with Thunder v Mavericks due to meet at Wembley ahead of their semi-final date.

In the latest episode of Netball Unlocked, there's a bumper news round up as Paul and Chloe reflect on the career of netball icon Geva Mentor after she announced her retirement.There's plenty from the Birmingham Panthers to dissect as Jo Trip will leave Panthers at the end of the season and Sigi Burger's injury prompts a raid of Loughborough - what does that say about the NXT Gen pathway and how might it evolve.We hear from one of the stars of the season so far in Leeds Rhinos Cassie Howard who chats with us after defeat the Copper Box.We'll reflect on big wins for Nottingham Forest, London Mavericks, London Pulse and Manchester Thunder as the race for the top four places is now down to two teams chasing one spotWith that in mind we look ahead to Round 13, as Nottingham Forest face Birmingham Panthers, Loughborough Lightning host London Mavericks, London Pulse travel to face Manchester Thunderand Leeds Rhinos meet Cardiff Dragons.

Paul and Chloe hand out the latest Netball Unlocked debut to London Mavericks Assistant Coach Mikki Austin, who opens up on the heartbreaking decision that saw NSL stalwarts Surrey Storm dropped from the new era of netball in the UK.We discuss Mikki’s new role as Director of Netball at Epsom College and the fuel-firing Mavs to end an eight-year absence from the Super League playoffs.Mikki and Paul look back at Round 11 and a huge win for the Mavericks over Forest and how that came together.We also reflect on wins for London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning over Cardiff Dragons, which secured their places in the top four, and Manchester Thunder’s win over Leeds Rhinos, featuring the return of Paige Reed.That rounds off our review before we look ahead to Round 12 and the reality that two more teams could complete the top four with two rounds to spare.Finally, Chloe arrives back from holiday to finish up the podcast with Paul and review the latest England Roses squad, which has been announced for 2025-26.Twitter/X: @NetballUnlockedInstagram: @NetballUnlockedPodcast