A record number of applications were received this year to become a part of Manchester Thunder’s lucrative Performance Pathway Coaching Team.
Director of Netball Karen Greig and Pathway Head Coach Alex Young have collaboratively work through the quality applications and have appointed what is believed to be the strongest Coaching team to date. Manchester Thunder’s prestigious Pathway is renowned for its strength and professionalism and has successfully produced many athletes through to the Roses Academy and to Superleague squads as well as enjoying a number of titles wins over the years.
The Pathway is constantly evolving and developing with Bees(Year 7), Academy and Futures being introduced in 2018 and a further U14 Academy will be added to the programme this year that will help bridge the gap between our County partnerships and our U15 programme.
Director of Netball Karen Greig said “To have so many high-quality coaches apply to be a part of our Pathway and join the Thunder Family was fantastic. Reading the applications and seeing their passion for both Thunder and their depth of experience, I know our Pathway squads will be in exceptionally good hands. I can’t wait to work with Alex and support this incredible team of coaches over the season whilst having the opportunity to develop and nurture the best athletes in our region. Every county in the North West is being represented which also bodes well for the partnerships with our counties in developing our future athletes from a grassroots level. This representation across all counties also demonstrates our commitment to providing opportunities for the skilled and experienced netball coaches right across the region.”
Pathway Head coach Alex Young said, “I am over the moon with the coaches that we have attracted for this season. It is great to see retained staff as well as new faces. I am really excited to continue to work with such an amazing group of coaches and team managers”.
Here are the details of our team:
| Name | Position |
| U21 | |
| Jennifer Fields | U21 Head coach |
| Victoria Knights | U21 Assistant Coach |
| Georgina Davies | U21 Assistant Coach |
| U19 | |
| Lauren Palmer | U19 Head coach |
| Ashley Taylor | U19 Assistant Coach |
| U17 | |
| Alison Sharp | U17 Head Coach |
| Jaclyn Leach | U17 Assistant Coach |
| Clair Christy | U17 Assistant Coach |
| Jessica Finan | U17 Development Coach |
| Nikki Kendrick | U17 Development Coach |
| FUTURES | |
| Georgina Davies | Futures Head Coach |
| Geraldine Williams | Futures Assistant Coach |
| Simon Coombs | Futures Development Coach |
| Dee Shorrock | Futures Development Coach |
| U15 | |
| Lauren Palmer | U15 Head coach |
| Sophie Austin | U15 Assistant Coach |
| Phil Owen | U15 Assistant Coach |
| Emily Cowell | U15 Assistant Coach |
| U14 | |
| Clair Christy | U14 Head Coach |
| Nat Kerrigan | U14 Assistant Coach |
| Abby Chamberlain | U14 Assistant Coach |
| Mark Lees | U14 Development Coach |
| Youth | |
| Phil Owen | Youth Head Coach |
| Imogen Turner | Youth Assistant Coach |
| Jessie Fowler | Youth Assistant Coach |
| Lauren Watson | Youth Assistant Coach |
| Eliza Morgan | Youth Assistant Coach |
| Leanne Hobin | Youth Development Coach |
| Katie Cox | Youth Development Coach |
| Amy Kervin | Youth Development Coach |
| BEES | |
| Abby Chamberlain | Bees Head Coach |
| Charley Youds-McDowall | Bees Assistant Coach |
| Polly Logan | Bees Assistant Coach |
| Jo Dempsey | Bees Assistant Coach |
| Lynne Barnett | Bees Assistant Coach |
| Suzanne Bass | Bees Assistant Coach |
| Betsan Eratt | Bees Development Coach |
| Milly Graham | Bees Development Coach |
| Alicia Johnson | Bees Development Coach |
| TEAM MANAGERS | |
| Phil Thomas | Franchise Team Manager |
| Emma Langshaw | Pathway |
| Nat Kerrigan | Pathway |