In the 2021 season, Lois Pearson stepped up from a training partner to a member of the first team squad at Manchester Thunder. Throughout the 2021 season, Pearson has played in 21 games, scoring 26 goals with an average goal scoring percentage of 78.79%.
Currently studying mathematics at Manchester University, Pearson has been a part of the Manchester Thunder pathway since 2012, making her way through each age group whilst at the same time playing for her local club YWCA Bury.
“Last season it was great getting experience. I think the older, more experience girls really helped me out a lot. There was quite a lot of the younger girls who all made our debut together, and we’ve all come through the Thunder pathway together, so it was really nice that we all got to experience out first year at the same time.”
“Being in the shooting circle was very intense, as there are lot of different defenders, and some of them are very big and strong, and I wasn’t really used to that. When I was trying to get rebounds and things like that, I thought ‘I’ve got no chance’ because of their height compared to myself.”
“I just want to build up the experience from last season and keep improving as much as I can, learning as much as possible from all the other girls on court. The training environment at Thunder is very competitive and I think we all push each other a lot.”
“Playing with Joyce [Mvula] is incredible and I love watching her play. I think even when you’re feeding her the ball, and if the pass isn’t great, she somehow manages to get up there and catch it. Playing with players such as Joyce and Ellie [Cardwell] when you’re shooting with them, really help you with your confidence, and they tell me to put the shots up and just back myself.”
Karen Greig, Manchester Thunder Head Coach, said:
“Lois is developing nicely, and is showing great capability to start performing at the top level. An unassuming athlete, her timing in attack is almost stealth like which can cause headaches for defenders. She is growing both on and off court and her ability to cover the attacking line will be a great asset for her and with Nat Haythornthwaite in the squad along side her. I am excited to see how much she will develop.”