Former Sunshine Girls coach takes overseas job

Former Sunshine Girls head coach Connie Francis has taken up another overseas assignment after being named as the Director of Netball for new Super League franchise Birmingham Panthers in England.

Francis will also serve as a community ambassador, focusing on raising the profile of netball throughout the region.

The 54 year old coach led the Sunshine Girls to the bronze medal at last year's Netball World Cup in South Africa and silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Regarding her appointment, Francis said she's thrilled to be in England and to join the Birmingham Panthers franchise at such an exciting moment in the league's development, adding that she's looking forward to embracing the challenges of her new role and to collaborating closely with the athletes, stakeholders, and everyone involved.

Francis previously did a coaching stint in St Lucia.

The new-look competition will feature 8 teams and a revised season format with 50 percent of the matches to be played at major arenas.

The Netball Super League (NSL), which is the UK’s top level elite netball competition, will be relaunched next year.
 
The league will run from March 8 to July 6.
  
The Birmingham Panthers will open their campaign against the Leeds Rhinos on March 14 at the Canon Medial Arena in Sheffield.


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