Director of Netball Tamsin Greenway provides insight into each of London Mavericks signings for the Netball Super League 2025.
DEFENDERS
Razia Quashie – GK
Tamsin Greenway was full of praise for Razia Quashie, saying, “Raz is one of the top defenders in England, and likely in the world. Her mental resilience is incredible. Her fight is incredible. Her potential is immense, and watching her fight back from two Achilles injuries has been nothing short of remarkable. Raz has said all the way she wants to win things with Mavs. She wants to do something special here and we want to give her the platform to do that.”
Quashie, in turn, explained how Mavericks has always felt like home to her, saying: “I just think it’s my safe place. I’ve been through some serious injuries, and they just know how to take care of people here, and they’ve looked after me over the years. I’m very grateful for all the trust and belief they have in me. If someone is treating you well, you don’t leave.”
Vicki Oyesola – GD/ WD / GK
Recognising the advantage of Vicki Oyesola’s versatility, Greenway said: “Vicki’s ability to play three positions will be a significant asset for Mavs, particularly with squads reduced to 10 players. In terms of how she plays the game and how she wants to win the ball, Vicki is perfectly suited to the exciting brand of netball we want to play. Her partnership with Raz is also incredibly important. She has been with the club for so long and was eager to team up with someone in the England system. Together, these two are an unstoppable force in the circle.”
Chelsea Blackman – WD/GD
Alongside Quashie and Oyesola, the former Adelaide Thunderbird Chelsea Blackman is expected to reinforce London Mavericks’ defensive line-up, while also bringing a distinct skillset to the team. Greenway explains:
“One of the key things I learned about the league last year was the need to have different players to make an impact. Raz and Vicki have their own style, but bringing in an Australian player like Chelsea, who has that relentless mentality, adds something different. She’s been in the Thunderbirds’ training environment and was with them when they won the title last year, training alongside top players like Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson. Chelsea knows how to grind down opponents in one-on-one situations and offers a unique, rangy presence, which was crucial for me. I wanted to ensure we have diverse options and structures.”
MIDCOURT
Ellie Rattu – C/WD
Moving on to midcourt, Greenway is well aware of the essential part Ellie Rattu will play in London Mavericks’ line-up.
“Ellie is the ultimate team player with incredible talent. She’s a winner,” Greenway said. “Having worked with Ellie in various roles over the years, I’ve seen her consistently contribute to the team’s culture. She’s a natural leader and is continuing to develop that skill.”
Speaking before she joined the England Roses for their Test match tour to Australia and New Zealand, Rattu said: “I’m super excited for the new season. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for teams to really step up their game and have a more levelled and balanced Super League. After struggling with some injuries last year, it felt like I hadn’t really made my mark yet, and I’m still very much wanting to do that for Mavericks.”
Amelia Hall – WA/GA/C
Greenway is thrilled to have been able to sign a game changer like Amelia Hall, explaining: “I remember commentating on a game last year where she earned player of the match against Loughborough, she came on and completely changed the game. I’m always on the look-out for attacking players who are natural with the ball, and Amelia fits that perfectly. Her flair, vision, speed, and skill are exceptional. The fact that she can cross from wing attack to goal attack and into the middle is a rarity.”
Suzie Liverseidge – WA/C
Greenway is equally excited about the impact Suzie Liverseidge can make for London Mavericks, saying: “Suzie is a really dominant midcourt attacking player. Anybody watching Stars last year will know how big an impact she had when she entered games and how she controlled that attack end for them. She’s such a smart, creative player, a real playmaker. It’s going to be great to have people like her, Amelia Hall and Ellie Rattu opening up the end third.”
Suzie Liverseidge explained why she was keen to commit to London Mavericks, saying: “It’s an honour to play for a club with such a rich history from former years, and it’s exciting to be joining as Mavericks start a new era as London Mavericks. What really drew me in is how Mavericks strive to do things differently, challenging ourselves and playing with real flair.”
SHOOTERS
Emma Thacker – GS/GA
Asked about Emma Thacker’s exceptional shooting skills, Greenway said: “Emma can play across two positions, goal shooter and goal attack, which is a really big strength for us. She’s got such a beautiful shot on her, and she will shoot from anywhere, that’s something we want to really help as she matures as a player, her shot selection on what she can do, because she can be absolutely lethal. She’s only just brushed the surface of what she can achieve on the court.”
When asked why she chose to re-sign with the Mavericks, Thacker said, “We faced a lot of challenges last season, which was tough, but I was impressed by the determination of both the team and the coaching staff, and the support they provided us players. I felt like I really grew as a player last year, and I’m just excited to keep building this year.”
Kira Rothwell – GA/WA
Speaking about the re-signing of 23-year-old Kira Rothwell, who is about to enter her sixth season in the NSL, Greenway said: “We’re thrilled to have Kira back. She’s the ultimate team player, the role she played last year was crucial. The way she came on and changed games for us was incredible. Kira brings a unique style as a goal attack, excelling in the cut-and-drive approach.”
“She’s also like a sponge, constantly wanting to learn and deliver on court. It was important to keep that young attack end together and keep building the shooting circle as well. To have Kira and Emma back for another year working together was a massive pull.”
Kira Rothwell was excited to re-sign for Mavericks saying: “I’ve had a great two years here so far, and really felt supported in the environment. Knowing a lot of the support staff and coaching staff were carrying over was a really big motivation. Aside from that, when the new investors and coaches came in and started talking to us about what London Mavericks would look like, it was really exciting. Getting to be involved in this amazing vision they have is something I really wanted to do.”
Emily Andrew – GS
Talking about the Mavericks’ new Australian shooter, Greenway said: “Shooters like Emily are hard to find – big, tall, and strong, with the versatility to be both a target and a moving shooter. What excites me about Emily is her ability to excel in both roles,” Greenway commented.
“She can stand and hold and be dominant, and she can move, offload and work an open circle. Emily has been with Vixens all year as their 11th player, training with them so knows the environment. She won player of the tournament in the VNL Australian Netball Championships the season before and if you look at the names of players who have come through that, they’ve gone on to do great things. When I spoke with Emily, she embodied everything I look for in a player.”
Izzi Phillips – C/GD/WD
Greenway said: “Izzi’s super exciting. She broke into Pulse’s first team last year and was a stand-out in the centre, although she didn’t get to play much wing defence. I think we’ve got the perfect mix of having her and Ellie as a partnership, and this is what I’m looking for as well. For me, Izzi could be a world beater, she’s got all the attributes. I’m excited about having ball winners like Vicki and helping Ellie and Izzi understand where they can win ball as well.”
After her standout season, the 18-year-old NSL Young Player of the Year is eager to continue honing her skills and sees the coaching setup at London Mavericks as a key factor in her decision to sign, saying: “I’m really excited to be able to be mentored and coached by such a fantastic coaching team, as well as to join this amazing group of girls,” Phillips said. “Watching them play last season, I was drawn to the culture and felt a strong connection with the Mavericks’ brand and beliefs, so I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”