Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever defender Fran Williams on her time in Perth, lessons learnt for Roses
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West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever re-sign English captain Fran Williams as strong squad retention continues
England captain Fran Williams says she's thankful to 'be a part of the world-class environment' at West Coast Fever after re-signing with the Super Netball powerhouse for the 2026 season. Williams, 27, is the latest Fever star to extend her stay at the club, joining superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard who this week also put pen to paper on a new deal. It means the defender will play in the green dress for a third season, having already played 32 games for Fever since she joined the WA side ahead of 2024. The West Australian understands Fever will lock away their final contracted 10 in the coming days, with fellow defenders Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Ruth Aryang both set to re-sign with the grand final side. It means Fever will head into next year with only one change to their main list, with 2022 grand final hero Sasha Glasgow returning to the club earlier this week to replace Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford, who was not offered a new deal. Midcourter Zoe Cransberg — who played in the decider as a replacement for the injured Aryang — is the only Fever player without a deal for next season, but Super Netball clubs cannot sign their '11th player' until after the free agency window closes on August 23. Williams' decision to stay comes after speculation the Roses star could be on the move as she looks for more court time leading into next year's Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup in Sydney. She forms part of a strong defence that includes Dehaney as well as Diamonds star Sunday Aryang who is also locked away for next year. 'I am really excited to be re-signing with Fever for my third season,' Williams said. 'After one of the toughest losses I've faced in the 2025 SSN grand final, my motivation to continue to strive for more with this club couldn't be higher. 'I feel very grateful to be a part of the world-class environment here at Fever as well as have such good support from my amazing teammates and of course the incredible Green Army.' Fever coach Dan Ryan said Williams was a 'fierce competitor and a highly respected member of our team and club'. 'She's been such an impactful contributor on and off the court the past two seasons, so we are thrilled to have her in green for a third season,' Ryan said. 'Fran is as hard working and dedicated as they come and has really challenged herself this year to grow her game inside and outside of the circle. She's now a genuine triple threat for us in all three positions and whatever role the team needs from her, she embraces it wholeheartedly and delivers. 'She's an astute and unique operator and sets an incredibly high standard of excellence in our environment and I'm excited to see what she brings to the court for us in 2026.'
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
England captain extends stay in WA with Fever
England captain Fran Williams says she's thankful to 'be a part of the world-class environment' at West Coast Fever after re-signing with the Super Netball powerhouse for the 2026 season. Williams, 27, is the latest Fever star to extend her stay at the club, joining superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard who this week also put pen to paper on a new deal. It means the defender will play in the green dress for a third season, having already played 32 games for Fever since she joined the WA side ahead of 2024. The West Australian understands Fever will lock away their final contracted 10 in the coming days, with fellow defenders Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Ruth Aryang both set to re-sign with the grand final side. It means Fever will head into next year with only one change to their main list, with 2022 grand final hero Sasha Glasgow returning to the club earlier this week to replace Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford, who was not offered a new deal. Midcourter Zoe Cransberg — who played in the decider as a replacement for the injured Aryang — is the only Fever player without a deal for next season, but Super Netball clubs cannot sign their '11th player' until after the free agency window closes on August 23. Williams' decision to stay comes after speculation the Roses star could be on the move as she looks for more court time leading into next year's Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup in Sydney. She forms part of a strong defence that includes Dehaney as well as Diamonds star Sunday Aryang who is also locked away for next year. 'I am really excited to be re-signing with Fever for my third season,' Williams said. 'After one of the toughest losses I've faced in the 2025 SSN grand final, my motivation to continue to strive for more with this club couldn't be higher. 'I feel very grateful to be a part of the world-class environment here at Fever as well as have such good support from my amazing teammates and of course the incredible Green Army.' Fever coach Dan Ryan said Williams was a 'fierce competitor and a highly respected member of our team and club'. Fran Williams has played 32 games in two seasons for West Coast Fever. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images 'She's been such an impactful contributor on and off the court the past two seasons, so we are thrilled to have her in green for a third season,' Ryan said. 'Fran is as hard working and dedicated as they come and has really challenged herself this year to grow her game inside and outside of the circle. She's now a genuine triple threat for us in all three positions and whatever role the team needs from her, she embraces it wholeheartedly and delivers. 'She's an astute and unique operator and sets an incredibly high standard of excellence in our environment and I'm excited to see what she brings to the court for us in 2026.'
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard: West Coast Fever re-sign superstar goal shooter on one-year deal
The West Coast Fever are hailing the return of the player they have declared the 'best in the world', with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard locked in on a new contract. The superstar shooter on Tuesday put pen to paper on a fresh one-year deal, ensuring the Super Netball runners-up will again challenge for the title next season after the heartbreak of their one-goal grand final defeat. It comes after The West Australian last month exclusively revealed that a contract was imminent to have the 36-year-old back in a green dress for ninth campaign in WA in season 2026. Fowler-Nembhard has experienced a year of adversity like no other. The Jamaican was set to sit out the Super Netball season after announcing her pregnancy, but suffered a miscarriage in January. Having missed the first two matches of the season, Fowler-Nembhard opted to return to action and dominated the competition to claim an eighth consecutive league scoring crown and spearhead West Coast's run to the grand final. 'Jhaniele has inspired us all with her strength and resilience this season and has been a driving force behind our team's great success,' Fever coach Dan Ryan said. 'She's our spiritual leader and instils so much confidence in those around her with her passion, presence and positive energy. 'She's had an enormous impact on everyone in our team and we are so grateful to have her on board for another season.' Ryan said he was confident Fowler-Nembhard could soar to even greater heights despite the veteran having already accomplished so much. 'This was one of the best seasons of her career and, like a true champion, she continues to challenge herself to keep getting better,' he said. 'She is the best in the world and there is still so much more great netball and growth left in her.' Fowler-Nembhard poured in 726 goals in 2025 on her way to securing a seventh-straight Stacey Marinkovich Medal as Fever's Most Valuable Player. The sharpshooter said she was thrilled to have finalised the new deal as West Coast seek grand final redemption. 'Perth has truly become my second home, and I'm beyond grateful to wear the green dress again in 2026,' she said. 'I can't wait to get back out there with my Fever Family and chase another championship with our amazing Green Army behind us every step of the way.' The re-signing sees West Coast well-placed with their roster in the early days of the off-season, retaining the core from the squad that reeled off 13 consecutive wins to finish atop the standings. Key pieces Jess Anstiss, Sunday Aryang and Alice Teague-Neeld are all locked in for next year, while the club this week announced the recruitment of Sasha Glasgow from the Melbourne Mavericks. The Fever parted ways with Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford.
