Manchester Thunder unveil new coach

Ever since Manchester Thunder lost Superleague winning coach Tracey Neville to the England Netball team Lollipop has been on tenterhooks wondering who will become head of the former champions.

But the wait is over for Thunder supporters as the team announced ANZ Championship side Adelaide Thunderbirds assistant coach Dan Ryan as the new head coach.

We won’t lie Lollipop and I had no clue who this guy was but Ryan is an experienced netballer and coach. (Yes. Men play Netball too).

Victoria-born Ryan, 31, plays goal attack for the Australia men’s team and won the title with Thunderbirds in 2013 after joining the Southern Australia side in 2012. He also coached Southern Force in the ANL.

Our new coach is a qualified journalist and freelance sports broadcaster, notably with Australia’s Network Ten and travelled to Delhi, India in 2010 as part of the commentary team for the Commonwealth Games.

Ryan also guest coached with Neville last year at Manchester Thunder so perhaps his appointment was planned way in advance Lollipop.

The Australian netballer said: “I’ve always kept a close eye on the Superleague and head coaching in the competition has always been on my radar. I can’t wait to get back into the head coach seat after four years working as an assist with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The opportunity to lead a great club like Manchester Thunder is really exciting and the timing of it seems perfect for me at this point in my coaching career.”

So far it seems like the best decision for Thunder but Ryan was widely tipped to be head coach at the Thunderbirds after Jane Woodlands-Thompson announced in April that she would be stepping down. But the job was given to Australian Diamonds assistant coach Michelle den Dekker.

Perhaps Manchester Thunder was his second choice or even a last resort. Also despite winning the ANZ Championship in 2013 Thunderbirds finished 8^th in 2014 and are currently 5^th this season.

Ryan left his side that are not performing at their best to come to a team who despite winning the Superleague in 2014 failed to reach the finals this season after a dismal semi finals loss to Hertfordshire Mavericks.

The Australian coach may have an impressive resume but he is new to the Superleague and to England Netball.

So for Lollipop whether Ryan is the coach to lift Manchester Thunder back to the very top of the Superleague remains to be answered.

Behind the scenes Thunder managing director Debbie Hallas said: “We are so pleased to have Dan join us at Manchester Thunder.

“He brings with him invaluable experience coaching in the most high profile and best netball league in the world.

“We are sure Dan will fit in perfectly at Thunder and will continue to bring the absolute best out of our players, who I am sure will relish a new challenge under a new coach.”

Ryan is due to take up his role at Thunder in the late summer. The team are clearly behind him and despite our concerns so is Lollipop who is already missing the Superleague drama.

Three cheers for Dan Ryan…

Defeat for Manchester Thunder but success for Netball Superleague

So a day has passed since the Superleague Semi-final where Lollipop and I watched Manchester Thunder fall to Hertfordshire Mavericks in front of a record- breaking crowd at the Manchester Arena 41-48.

It meant that the 2014 champions failed to make the final that would have been a repeat of last year’s thrilling encounter against Surrey Storm who saw off Yorkshire Jets 76-60 in the other tie.

Instead it was a dominant Hertfordshire Mavericks that clinched a place at next Saturday’s final. Despite the loss the team were thrilled to have played in front of 4,100 spectators.

Captain Sara Bayman said: “I would love to play at the arena again. We walked out of the changing rooms and the noise was incredible.

“I don’t think we expected it to be as good as it was and the Manchester public come out in force for sporting events and today was not different.

“We feel disappointed to not seal this event with a victory and for the fans, but hopefully we put on a good enough game for them to see and to come again.”

The match reflected both the growing popularity of netball and women’s sports as Sky Sports broadcasted the match live.

Coach Tracey Neville said she was proud and honoured to be sharing in what she hoped would be Thunder’s home venue in the future.

But after such a devastating defeat will Manchester City Council stay behind our team Lollipop?

Before the match Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council executive member for culture and leisure said: “Manchester Thunder’s players are local sporting heroes and we should all be proud of their success.”

Thunder were unbeaten throughout the entire Supereague season and were Netball Superleague champions 2012 and 2014.

For that alone the girls deserved to play at such an iconic venue.

Manchester has been hooked on the girls progress with The Wright Robinson Centre aka The Thunderdome regularly sold out at each home fixture.

Yesterdays feisty encounter was the perfect advert for UK Netball. By the start of the final quarter the teams were level at 35-35. Lollipop could barely watch as a miss by GS Helen Housby allowed Mavericks to capitalise 35-36. They soon pulled away from Thunder as they slowly imploded and Shooter Sasha Corbin netted her side to victory.

Coach Tracey Neville was scathing of her players and said: “I think that performance has been coming in the last few weeks and you get found out by an experienced team.

“Mavericks played their best netball and beat us. Frankly, we didn’t deserve to win that game.”

Thunder were deflated but Mavericks could go on to make Netball just as popular at London’s Copperbox next Saturday.

Third place is still up for grabs for Thunder as they play Northern rivals Yorkshire Jets but success for women’s sport has already been achieved thanks to Lollipop and the other few thousand that turned up last night.

Manchester Thunder starting 7: Kerry Almond GK, Emma Dovey GD, Laura Malcolm WD, Sara Bayman C, Chelsea Pittman WA, Kathryn Turner GA, Helen Housby GS. Substitute: Jodie Gibson GD.

Manchester Thunder Thump Celtic Dragons in images

Superleague Champions Manchester Thunder recorded their greatest win of the season to date last night as they beat Celtic Dragons 81-36 at the Thunderdome.

Goal Attack Eleanor Cardwell earned her first start of the season and teamed up with England Goal Shooter Helen Housby.

Manchester Thunder were too strong for Celtic Dragons as the home side dominated from start to finish and ended the first quarter 20-11.

But there was a blow for Thunder at the start of the second as Goal Keeper Kerry Almond went down with an ankle problem and couldn’t continue.

Jodie Gibson switched to Keeper and young England defender Georgie Webster came on at Goal Defence.

Thunder coach Tracey Neville rotated her shooters and young Alice Travis was brought into the squad to offer up options as their lead stretched to 30-15.

New Australian recruit Chelsea Pittman lifted Thunder’s tempo further, lofting perfectly-weighted passes into her shooters as a string of two-pass centre to goal combinations really knocked the wind out of the Dragons.

Player of the match Jodie Gibson played out the entire match for the first time this season and said: “I’m really, really happy with that.

“It feels good to get a full 60 minutes and I was happy to get on court with Georgie Webster and she was so strong.

“Complacency isn’t a word that Tracey (Neville) uses and she always demands quality.

“We pushed on and it didn’t feel like we were that far ahead out there. It was a great team performance today.”

Neville’s side play at home again against a struggling Loughborough Lightning on 28th February who lost 48-68 to former Superleague champions Surrey Storm at home and have won only two of their last five games.

Unbeaten Thunder will be hoping for another giant win and Lollipop will be cheering them on this Saturday.

Game of the Draw

Lollipop knows the FA Cup has already served up several shockers this year but what has us animated is the clash between Cup holders Arsenal and 2004 winners Manchester United after their 3-1 finish over league one side Preston.

Despite an unimaginative first half and a perilous start to the second after Scott Laird put Preston in front United fought back with goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a penalty from Captain Wayne Rooney.

The Gunners, who beat Hull City in last year’s final, easily defeated Championship side Middlesbrough in the fifth round 2-0. But Lollipop knows their next tie at Old Trafford does not seem as simple.

Arsenal have clearly been the better side in the FA Cup this season shrugging off Hull in the third round and edging out Brighton 3-2 in the fourth. Arsene Wenger’s side have not had to face any replays unlike their next opponents Manchester United who have struggled when playing lower league teams.

Wenger said striker Olivier Giroud’s game has improved during his time at Arsenal. And with two clear struck goals over the weekend United can not afford to let the centre forward put his side in front. This time they may find it hard to come back.

Wayne Rooney scored his first goal of the year and in a centre forward position the striker looked menacing as he helped his team overcome a galvanised Preston side.

Only five Premier league sides remain and only three may make it to Wembley.

With league one side Bradford through to the quarter finals after titan wins over Premier League leaders Chelsea and Sunderland over the weekend the Black Cats are dreaming of Wembley.

But first Bradford must overcome their next draw. They face Reading at home which doesn’t seem half as daunting as their last two FA Cup fixtures.

After Bradford’s win against Sunderland FA Cup hero Jon Stead said: “This tops the Chelsea win because of the expectation on us.”

Expectation will be even greater over Reading and playing at Wembley could top everything for Phil Parkinson’s side.

Other ties include Liverpool v Blackburn and a West Midlands Derby for newly appointed manager Tim Sherwood  as his side Aston Villa face West Bromwich Albion.

The quarter finals on 7-8 March looks unmissable for Lollipop and the surprises may just keep on coming for one side.

Manchester Thunder beat down the Storm 55-52

Manchester Thunder beat down the Surrey Storm with another gripping 55-52 win at the Thunderdome in the opening match of the 2015 Superleague season.

Both sides made promising improvements to their teams after the memorable 2014 Superleague final that saw Manchester Thunder’s Helen Housby net a last gasp shot to seal the trophy for her side.

England captain Pamela Cookey will add her experience and attacking play to Surrey Storm where as Australian Chelsea Pittman is a versatile new signing for Manchester Thunder and can play WA, GA or Centre on court.

55-48 was last season’s result when these two side met in their first game of the season and Manchester Thunder coach Tracey Neville said: “It will be very, very difficult to win back-to-back championships but we have the belief.

“Mavericks will be putting out their strongest team ever, Jets are the ones to watch and Surrey has signed Pamela Cookey.”

Despite Neville’s concerns Thunder made an impressive start. Storm netted the first point but Goal Shooter Hosuby was quick to respond and netted 3 goals in a row for her side. Goal Keeper Kerry Almond made a crucial interception which led to Thunder doubling their lead to 8-4.

England shooter Rachel Dunn had a shaky start but made amends as she netted Storms 6^th.

A feisty tussle between Coach Tamsin Greenway and Pittman of which Thunder came out on top showed the Wing Attack’s desire for every ball.

Cookey was confident in the circle as she netted Storms last two shots to make it 15 -11 at the end of the quarter.

No changes for either side meant a quick change of court halves. Dunn clawed back two points for Storm as they closed the gap to 19-15 with quick transitional play.

At 20 -17 Storm started to build momentum but Goal Defence Emma Dovey made an excellent turnover to build Thunder’s lead.

Swift smooth passing from Pittman and Housby then nsured a 23-18 lead.

Cookey netted Storm’s 20^th but Thunder immediately responded with 2 quick goals from Housby.

At half time Thunder were on top 29-21.

The home side remained unchanged and unperturbed in the 3^rd quarter where as Storm made some much needed changes. Josie Huckle moved to GK, Hannah Reid to GD and Nicky Austin came on at Centre.

A held ball from Manchester Thunder ensured Storm made an improved start to the 3^rd quarter

But four incredible shots on target from Housby got the Manchester crowd roaring again.

Dunn quickly shortened the gap and a fantastic leap and shot from Cookey made it 40-31.

A rare missed shot from Kathryn Turner gave Storm the opportunity to make it 42-34. But Cookey could not net another point for her side. Storm still ended the quarter positively and frustrated the Thunder defence to shorten the gap to 44-39 at the end of play.

Storm now had a memorable comeback in mind but Thunder remained positive as Housby netted Thunder’s 45^th .

Another missed shot from Turner gave Surrey another chance to shorten the gap to 47-43 but Thunder retaliated with a positive turnover and increased their lead.

Turner raced into the circle to make it 49 -44 then another flawless shot from Housby lengthened their lead again.

However Surrey were not done yet. As Greenway iced her hand in the last eight minutes she bellowed out “discipline, discipline,” to her side.

But Bayman and Housby teamed up to give Thunder a 52-45 lead.

Kerry Almond made an fantastic turnover in the circle but Turner could not make it count and Surrey came back to bring the gap down to just 4.

More quick passing from Storm meant Cookey was able to net another and make the score 54-51.

Housby then calmly made another terrific shot as Thunder ended the game confidently knocking the ball through the court and finished their first match 55-52.

Surrey’s  shooting stats were superior to Thunders with 92% in comparison to 88% but the score was the only stat Lollipop cared about.

Both Greenway and Cookey admitted they made too many errors throughout and were disappointed with the loss.

Player of the match Pittman said to Sky TV: “It was not easy at all if you look at the scoreline it tells the story for itself. We had a good lead but we let it drop so the girls wont be happy with that but we’re happy we got the win and we can move on with that.”

The games won’t get any easier though for the Champions as their next fixture will be against five time title winners Team Bath next Saturday.

There will also be no draws in the Superleague this season as teams will play out extra time until one side gains a two goal lead.

Lollipop knows things could get even tighter for Neville’s side but to start off with a win against a rival team that were unbeaten last year shows what contenders the Thunder girls are and what belief they will bring to the Superleague.

Whether they win a consecutive title though is not in Lollipop’s hands.

Starting Manchester Thunder 7: GK, Almond, GD, E Dovey, WD, L Malcolm, C, S Bayman, WA, C Pitman, GA, K Turner, GS H Housby

Starting Surrey Storm 7: GK H Reid, GD, K Holland, WD, A Flanagan, C K Ainsworth, WA, T Greenway, GA, P Cookey, GS R, Dunn.