Latest news with #JodieGibson
South Wales Argus
09-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Jodie Gibson hails fairytale ending despite defeat
A silver medal was not what Jodie Gibson wanted to take away from the Netball Super League Grand Final, but she refused to let it spoil her retirement party. The 2025 Grand Final was Gibson's final match of an illustrious career, which saw her represent four Super League teams and win the title twice with Manchester Thunder, as well as claim an historic Commonwealth gold medal with England in 2018. Yet for all of her accomplishments on the court, Gibson could not help but be overcome by the way she was able to bow out in front of almost 10,000 fans at the O2 Arena, a world away from her debut in 2009 and testament to the growth of the game during her career. 'I guess you want that fairytale ending, but this for me still feels like a fairytale,' she said 'I am in a final, at the O2 Arena, playing in front of thousands of people – a record-breaking crowd – to be here is a dream come true. 'It feels like a real privilege that I can say I ended my career this way. A new name in the history books 🏆@Pulse_Netball beat Loughborough Lightning to claim the NSL title for the first time 🎊 👏 Congratulations to all involved on being crowned #NSL2025 champions! July 6, 2025 'When I first stepped on a court for Northern Thunder in 2009, we were in Bury Leisure Centre where I used to do my school swimming lessons. There were maybe 5-600 people there, maybe less. 'Sixteen years later, I have just finished my career at the O2 Arena. I was here watching Usher recently, and now I am here playing on the court in front of all of those people 'Yes, I am wearing a silver medal around my neck - I would change that because I want a gold medal - but I don't think I would change the moment. It feels like an amazing occasion, and I am just really proud that I am here. It has been one hell of a ride.' Gibson's Lightning played some of their matches at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, as well as facing a number of other sides in arenas across the country but she admitted it was not until the Grand Final that the progress really came home. 'There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the league, we felt it this year, but we really felt it today,' she said. 'Today was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this league. 'There was so much talk before the game about playing at the O2, but until I actually stepped in the venue, I didn't truly believe that it would feel like that. 'There was an opportunity for netball to catapult off the success of 2018, I think they missed that, but netball is definitely back, it has arrived, and I look forward to seeing what's next.' As Gibson walks away from netball, at least for now, she does so with medals but more importantly memories that she will hold onto forever. 'In my whole career, this year has been when I've been happiest,' she said. 'I set that as an objective, and I genuinely believe I can walk away with so many fond memories. 'I will cherish the friendships that I have made, the communities that I am now a part of.' To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jodie Gibson hails fairytale ending despite defeat
By James Reid A silver medal was not what Jodie Gibson wanted to take away from the Netball Super League Grand Final, but she refused to let it spoil her retirement party. The 2025 Grand Final was Gibson's final match of an illustrious career, which saw her represent four Super League teams and win the title twice with Manchester Thunder, as well as claim an historic Commonwealth gold medal with England in 2018. Advertisement Yet for all of her accomplishments on the court, Gibson could not help but be overcome by the way she was able to bow out in front of almost 10,000 fans at the O2 Arena, a world away from her debut in 2009 and testament to the growth of the game during her career. 'I guess you want that fairytale ending, but this for me still feels like a fairytale,' she said. 'I am in a final, at the O2 Arena, playing in front of thousands of people – a record-breaking crowd – to be here is a dream come true. 'It feels like a real privilege that I can say I ended my career this way. Jodie Gibson won the Commonwealth Games with England in 2018. 'When I first stepped on a court for Northern Thunder in 2009, we were in Bury Leisure Centre where I used to do my school swimming lessons. There were maybe 5-600 people there, maybe less. Advertisement 'Sixteen years later, I have just finished my career at the O2 Arena. I was here watching Usher recently, and now I am here playing on the court in front of all of those people 'Yes, I am wearing a silver medal around my neck - I would change that because I want a gold medal - but I don't think I would change the moment. It feels like an amazing occasion, and I am just really proud that I am here. It has been one hell of a ride.' The Grand Final at the O2 also brought home the step change currently underway in domestic netball. Gibson's Lightning played some of their matches at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, as well as facing a number of other sides in arenas across the country but she admitted it was not until the Grand Final that the progress really came home. Advertisement 'There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the league, we felt it this year, but we really felt it today,' she said. 'Today was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this league. 'There was so much talk before the game about playing at the O2, but until I actually stepped in the venue, I didn't truly believe that it would feel like that. 'There was an opportunity for netball to catapult off the success of 2018, I think they missed that, but netball is definitely back, it has arrived, and I look forward to seeing what's next.' As Gibson walks away from netball, at least for now, she does so with medals but more importantly memories that she will hold onto forever. Advertisement 'In my whole career, this year has been when I've been happiest,' she said. 'I set that as an objective, and I genuinely believe I can walk away with so many fond memories. 'I will cherish the friendships that I have made, the communities that I am now a part of.' To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Netball revels in game-changing moment as fans pack O2 for thrilling final
After Commonwealth Games glory on the Gold Coast in 2018, the sport experienced lift-off on Sunday with 9,326 fans inside the O2 Arena in London to see London Pulse defeat Loughborough Lightning 53-45. Netball had its big stage moment seven years late with a record crowd for the 2025 Netball Super League Grand Final. After Commonwealth Games glory on the Gold Coast in 2018, the sport experienced lift-off on Sunday with 9,326 fans inside the O2 Arena in London to see London Pulse defeat Loughborough Lightning 53-45. It was fitting that the new era of the Netball Super League, dubbed NSL 2.0, had a first-time winner as the youngest team in the league beat the defending champions for victory. The figure of almost 10,000 fans makes it the largest ever NSL event and the biggest crowd at a netball match in the UK since 2002. 'There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the league, we felt it this year but we really felt it here,' said losing finalist and Commonwealth gold medallist Jodie Gibson. 'This was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this league. There was so much talk before the game about playing at the O2, but until I actually stepped in the venue I didn't truly believe that it would feel like that. 'There was an opportunity for netball to catapult off the success of 2018, I think they missed that. But netball is definitely back, it has arrived, and I look forward to seeing what's next.' The record crowd also meant that the gamble for the Netball Super League to move to a bigger Grand Final venue and push forward with professionalisation paid off. The season began with the league cut to eight teams as four of the old guard were removed. In their place, Nottingham Forest Netball, a side associated with the football club, and Birmingham Panthers, who are now part owned by Tom Brady's investment group, joined the league. Other changes had seen all matches broadcast on Sky Sports and the BBC for the first time, team sizes cut to 10 and an increase in player pay, although the league is not yet close to full professionalism. The arrival of the Super Shot, where teams can shoot from the edge of the circle and earn two points in the final five minutes of each quarter, meant that the Grand Final on Sunday was always close even if Pulse held the advantage from the first 10 minutes onwards. The London side have perfectly combined the old with the new – several of their key players have come through the pathway with one of them, Funmi Fadoju, winning Player of the Match. The 'new' came in the form of Gracie Smith, who at just 16 is the youngest-ever player in the NSL and whose raw style disrupted Lightning as they aimed to become the first side to win three titles in a row. Pulse captain Zara Everitt, who is also working as a trainee lawyer, said: 'It is great that we have done it this year in the first year of NSL 2.0. 'We are really well positioned commercially as a team to pull in loads of fans and sponsors. We are really blessed to come from the capital and have such a passionate fanbase. It is a great start, and I can't wait to do it again next year.' Head coach Sam Bird has been with the team for five years and has built a side that she had no doubt would win in their second Grand Final appearance. Bird has also helped propel Pulse to be one of the best-supported teams in the league and they had the lion's share of a partisan crowd. 'It was absolutely amazing to be playing here,' she said. 'It was so loud. When you are getting chants of 'defence' it felt like a home crowd. 'This is what we want, we want this more and more. It was a very special occasion for everybody.'
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Champions Lightning beat Thunder to reach Grand Final
Loughborough Lightning have the chance to go for an unprecedented three-peat after booking their spot to face London Pulse in the Netball Super League Grand Final. Defending champions Lightning were condemned to the preliminary final after they were beaten last week by Pulse, the regular season leaders. Advertisement That meant a repeat of last year's Grand Final against Manchester Thunder and hosts Lightning came from behind to win 69-57 on Sunday. Thunder scored 10 unanswered goals en route to a 19-12 lead after the first quarter, but Lightning did not look back after a blistering second. After going 27-20 down, Jodie Gibson came on at goal defence to give Lightning a boost, while Samantha Wallace-Joseph did the damage at the other end. The Trinidad and Tobago shooter converted five two-point super shots during the second quarter to help Lightning into a 37-30 lead at half-time. Thunder called a tactical timeout at 44-33 down, while South Africa shooter Elmere van der Berg was brought off for the first time all season. Advertisement But Lightning still led 52-40 heading into the final quarter and stayed clear to book a rematch with Pulse in next Sunday's Grand Final at London's O2 Arena. How do Lightning and Pulse match up? Lightning and Pulse were vying for top spot for much of the regular season, and their direct tussles were fascinating. In round two, Pulse scored a statement 77-51 victory in Loughborough over the reigning champions, but that result was avenged at the Copper Box in May, when Lightning were 58-53 winners. Table-topping Pulse took the honours 50-49 in a play-off semi-final nailbiter, and now the teams go at it again. Advertisement The Grand Final line-up is the same as in 2023, when Lightning came from behind to win, and big-stage experience weighs heavily in Loughborough's favour. Pulse topped the regular-season table in 2023, too, but could not finish the job in the play-offs and are still seeking a first NSL title.
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
How golf helps Shadine van der Merwe thrive on and off the court
Central to that has been ensuring the right balance between time training with life off the court, and for Van der Merwe that means switching off to focus on her golf game. 'I'm not a pro at all but it is nice to switch your mind off, it is very therapeutic for me to hit a few balls and switch off from netball and other life stuff,' she revealed. 'My dad used to play when he was younger, so we'd always be at the driving range. I have always loved sport, so I am always up for playing anything, but golf was something that came more as an adult. 'You either have a good drive, your short game is good, or your putt is good – you can't have it all. I have never had a game where I haven't been looking for a lost ball! 'It is just a little bit of me time, and I am a strong believer in just switching off from the world around you and doing what makes you happy.' Van der Merwe has enjoyed a strong start to life in African Violet, with Lightning third in the table through the halfway point of the season. They are tied on points with long-term rivals Manchester Thunder ahead of the pair's meeting at the Motorpoint Arena in Round 8. Lightning came out on top when the sides met at the AO Arena in Round 1 and while Van der Merwe was pleased to get one over her old colleagues, she knows another tough test awaits. 'It was definitely quite satisfying [to win in Round 1],' she said. 'I had so much energy and was so hyped to play against Thunder. 'Coming up against a team twice, both teams are going to figure out where they have gone wrong or what to do differently. We just have to adapt and stick to our structure and trust what we have got.' Van der Merwe has formed strong connections with fellow defenders Jodie Gibson and Alice Harvey and knows they will need to be at their best against Thunder. Fellow South African Elmerè van der Berg has been in strong form in the circle for Thunder – her 242 goals is the third highest in the league – and Van der Merwe is relishing an all-South African battle. She added: 'With a defensive unit, sometimes it takes a bit more time to settle in and build connections but from the get-go we really settled in quite well. There is always room for improvement, which is exciting as well. 'It is always nice coming up against a South African friend. I can tell her off in Afrikaans and nobody else but her will understand! 'I know her from Thunder and from internationals, it is good to know your opponent that well. It is always a good battle against Elmerè.' Van der Merwe and Van der Berg are two of a number of South Africans now playing in the Netball Super League, something the former hopes continues to help strengthen the Proteas internationally. 'Our current coach Jenny van Dyk is encouraging us to go out there and spread our wings to get experience,' she said. 'It is good for us to get this exposure. It is a league heading towards professionalism, and for us to play abroad and play week in, week out and get that exposure to this level of netball. We gain as players and can take that back to South Africa.' Whatever the outcome against Thunder, Van der Merwe is confident her Lightning side will continue to improve throughout the second half of the season as they eye a third straight Netball Super League title. 'Before the season started, there was the pressure of reigning champions and that everyone wants to beat you,' she said. 'Having that pressure is a privilege, but the fact we have lost a few games has taken the pressure off us which is actually quite good. 'You need to peak at the right time, so it is important for us to build each week and grow as a team." Watch Shadine van der Merwe and the stars of NSL 2025 live in action - purchase your club tickets today. For the ultimate showdown, secure your seat at the 2025 Grand Final at The O2, London! Visit
