London Mavericks have landed a major coup securing one of the brightest young stars in the game, Izzi Phillips, who makes the switch from cross-capital competitors, London Pulse. Phillips arrives with an outstanding debut season under her belt, where she was crowned the NSL Young Player of the Season. At just 18 years old, Izzi is already a player to watch, and her signing is sure to leave Mavericks fans buzzing with excitement.
Having impressed at centre during her breakthrough season, Phillips showcased versatility and composure well beyond her years. However, the Mavericks faithful have even more reason to be excited, as the talented defender is expected to return to her favoured position of Wing Defence in 2025. With Izzi’s relentless drive and hunger to develop, the Mavericks have secured not just a rising star but a future game-changer for years to come.
Sharing her excitement about joining the Mavericks, Izzi said:
“I’m really excited to be able to be mentored and coached by the great coaching team that’s at hand, as well as the amazing group of girls. Watching them play last season, looking at the culture, I feel like I was really excited to get stuck in, and I really bought into the brand and the belief of Mavericks, so I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Tamsin Greenway, Director of Netball, is equally excited about what Izzi brings to the team:
“Izzi has all the potential in the world, and one of the big things when I spoke to Izzi about signing is where we could coach her and how we can help her with a game and just take her to another level.”
As the Lewisham-born star embarks on a new journey with the Mavericks, she’s also stepping into a new era of professional netball. But for Izzi, the increased competition and intensity are nothing but motivation:
“I’m really excited for this new era because I feel like the level of competition will just step up. The amount of training that we get to go through will help us really develop as players and really advance our technical abilities. Therefore, when we step on court and go to get into gameplay, I think the level of competition will just be so high. I can’t wait.”
As Phillips steps into a highly competitive environment, she’ll bring not only her skill but also her passion for the game. With her roots deeply tied to London, the move back across the city feels like a homecoming for the talented youngster. The team at London Mavericks can’t wait to watch her put on a show on gameday, meanwhile Izzi is equally as excited to experience the atmosphere provided by the Mavericks family.
“My favourite thing about a Match Day is the amazing atmosphere built from the crowd. Whether you’re up and they’re cheering you on, or you’re down, you need to dig deep. You know that you always have your crowd there to support you and cheer you on. It really is that eighth player that really pushes you and just makes you enjoy the game, because it gives you a purpose for what you’re doing.”
The Mavericks have landed one of the most exciting young talents in the league, and with Izzi Phillips lining up for London Mavericks, the 2025 season promises to be nothing short of spectacular. From her ability to shut down attackers to her infectious enthusiasm for the game, Izzi’s addition to the Mavericks lineup signals a new and exciting era for the club.