England call-up for Oldham’s elite trio
Date published: 16 March 2011
Jade Clarke — here playing for England against New Zealand — is back in the international fold.
NETBALL:
JADE Clarke and Sara Bayman are back in the England squad for the upcoming tour to Jamaica.
The Northern Thunder pair are among a 14-strong squad who will fly out at the end of April to take part in an international series which forms an integral part of the preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore two months later.
Jamaica — known as the 'Sunshine Girls' — are currently ranked fourth in the world, one spot below England.
"Both Sara and I were delighted to make the squad," said Clarke. "Selection is getting tougher as the young talent is coming through, but obviously this bodes well for our preparations for Singapore.
"We should get some valuable match play in the series against Jamaica and hopefully we can get one over on them before the World Championships to cement our ranking of third in the world."
Also in international action soon is Oldham's Emma Dovey.
Another important member of the Thunder squad, she has been chosen in the 12-strong England party which will take part in the Netball Europe Open competition in Antrim, Northern Ireland, from April 15 to 17.
Made up of younger England squad members plus development prospects, 20-year-old Dovey will have a chance to shine under the eye of England coach Sue Hawkins.
“I was so pleased to make the squad," Dovey said. "I have been training with the girls but this is the first time I will get the chance to play in a competitive match for England at open age.
“I think the progress we have made at Thunder and playing with quality players has improved my game and our success has started to get recognition for our players.”
Thunder are currently riding high in the Fiat National Superleague, unbeaten and in with a chance of winning the competition for the first time.
