The London Mavericks are proud to unveil an exceptional lineup of coaches for their Under-21, Under-19 and Under-17 teams, marking a significant step forward in the club’s commitment to developing the next generation of netball talent. The coaching team combines extensive experience with a deep commitment to developing young athletes.
Naida Hutchinson Appointed Under-21s Head Coach
Naida Hutchinson, a former England Roses player, has been named Head Coach for the Mavericks’ Under-21s. Hutchinson began her illustrious career at just 18 years old with the Mavericks, going on to represent England for eight years. She was a key part of the most successful England U21 team, which secured a silver medal at the World Youth Cup in 2005.
Despite a long-term knee injury that sidelined her for several seasons, Hutchinson made a triumphant return to the court with Surrey Storm before retiring in 2017. Since then, she has been an active presence in the coaching world, contributing to Academy, Capital Nuns, and the Mavericks’ NSL side as a technical coach.
Speaking on her new role, Hutchinson said, “As a young player, I was lucky enough to play with and be coached by some of the best in our game. This is a great privilege, and I’m excited for this new challenge. We will work hard to push each other, and I’m eager to learn from these players as much as they learn from me.”
Jenni Monger Joins as Under-21s Assistant Coach
Joining Hutchinson in the Under-21s setup is Jenni Monger, who will serve as Assistant Coach. Monger brings a wealth of experience from her time with the London Pulse Pathway and as a coach within the Mavericks’ Futures Programme. She also runs her own coaching company, Netball Excellence Training, and serves as the 2nd team Head Coach for the University of Hertfordshire.
Monger expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m passionate about cultivating an environment that drives performance and develops excellence in all aspects of the sport. This is an exciting time for netball, and I can’t wait to support the athletes in achieving their potential and preparing them for the next steps in the professional game.”
Bev Bostock Takes Helm as Under-19 Co-Head Coach
Bev Bostock, a veteran of the England Netball Performance Pathway with 12 years of experience, has been appointed as the Co-Head Coach of the Under-19s. Bostock has had a successful tenure at Surrey Storm, where her teams won multiple medals, including three golds. She is also the Head of Netball Performance at Epsom College, one of the top sporting schools in the country.
“It’s exciting times for netball, and I’m delighted to be joining London Mavericks,” Bostock said. “The vision of London Mavericks is inspiring, and the expertise of the coaching team is second to none. I feel honored to be part of such a fantastic group.”
Sachel Grant Named Under-19s Co-Head Coach
Sachel Grant, who has spent 12 years coaching within the England Netball Pathway and most recently led the Mavericks’ Under-23 and Under-21 teams, will co-head the Under-19s alongside Bev Bostock. Grant also serves as the Under-21 Head Coach for Northern Ireland.
“I am excited to work alongside Bev in this new role,” Grant commented. “I have no doubt we will complement each other and bring out the best in each other and the athletes in this environment.”
Under-17s Co-Head Coaches: Sophia Candappa and Amy Hepworth-Wain
The Mavericks have also bolstered their Under-17s coaching team with the appointment of two netball stalwarts: Sophia Candappa and Amy Hepworth-Wain.
Candappa, a former player for Loughborough Lightning and Surrey Storm, returns to the Mavericks where she started her Superleague career. “I am super excited to be working with the U17s,” said Candappa. “My U17s Mavericks coaches had such a positive and long-lasting impact on me, and I hope to provide the same to our young aspiring players.”
Hepworth-Wain, a highly successful former Surrey Storm captain, joins Candappa as Co-Head Coach. Despite a recent season-ending injury, Hepworth-Wain remains passionate about the sport and the development of young players. “I am incredibly excited to support these young netballers at the start of their sporting journeys,” she said. “I feel as lucky as them to be working alongside such an experienced and inspiring coaching team at London Mavericks.”
Tamsin Greenway, the Director of Netball for the Mavericks, praised the new coaching lineup, saying, “We have pulled together an incredible group of coaches who not only have experience within this age group but also understand what it’s really like mentally and physically to go through these pathway systems. I can’t wait to work alongside them as a technical coach this year and see what we can build and create together.”
Head of Pathway, Sachel Grant, echoed Greenway’s sentiments, adding, “I am excited to work with and support this group of talented and experienced performance coaches as we push the pathway to produce the best talent now and for the future.”
With such an accomplished and dedicated coaching team in place, the future looks bright for the London Mavericks and the young netballers who aspire to follow in their footsteps.