Severn Stars will utilise the Welsh knowledge of shooters Cara Lea Moseley and Georgia Rowe when they play Celtic Dragons in Vitality Netball Superleague action.
The teams go head-to-head in front of a sell-out 800-plus spectators at the new University of Gloucestershire Sports Arena in Gloucester on Friday (7.30pm).
Cardiff-based Dragons, fresh from a 67-40 win at London Pulse, go into their third Superleague fixture of the season in confident mood.
Wales internationals Moseley and Rowe signed for Stars from Dragons this season and will play against their former team on Friday.
Abergavenny-born Moseley, who was raised in Blackwood and now lives in Penarth, is the daughter of former Wales rugby international Kevin, who played for Pontypoool, Newport, West Hartlepool plus Penzance and Newlyn.
“We moved round quite a bit,” says Cara Lea. “Until nine years old I lived in Wales, but then I went to England, in Penzance, Cornwall. My dad was playing in that period when the sport was still amateur but turning professional.
“From age nine to 18 I was in Cornwall, which is a big change from South Wales. It was amazing, I loved the lifestyle and being so close to the sea and the weather was beautiful.
“Nothing was too serious and everything was quite chilled out, there are not any big sports teams there. I have really close friends down there who I keep in touch with.
“Living in Wales was lovely in a different way because where we lived, we had all the family right on our doorstep. People are very friendly and very warm here. Although I’m an only child I saw a lot of my cousins quite often. I loved being amongst all the mountains.”
Cara Lea studied a three-year degree in psychology at Cardiff Met University and later set a company called Mind in Sport which combines psychology with sport.
Caerleon’s Rowe, who lives in Newport, is 6ft 5ins and 23-years-old.
“We’re delighted to have Georgia and Cara with us,” said Stars’ head coach Sam Bird.
“Georgia has improved year on year in Vitality Netball Superleague and is a hugely effective shooter.
Super speedy quick match chat with @georgiarowey post game on Saturday.. 👇
Come & see our shining shooter & her defensive might at our first ever game @uniofglos Arena.. tickets available 👉https://t.co/uyH7Sz3Cq3
🌟v🐉#timetoshine #starsfamily pic.twitter.com/yeONLkonyj
— Severn Stars NSL (@SevernStars) January 14, 2019
“Cara impressed me last year playing for Dragons and Wales, a clear leader on court who plays a smart intelligent game.
“Between them they provide two of the tallest shooters in Superleague.”
Stars, a club co-owned by the University of Worcester and the University of Gloucestershire, play their first home match of the season when Dragons visit.
Until now matches have been held at the University of Worcester Arena, but will now shared between the two universities.
Severn Stars’ director Dr Anita Navin said: “Celtic Dragons will be a tough side to beat given their successful win against London Pulse.
“Having a little insight into the Welsh players through Georgia and Cara Lea will prove useful in our preparations. I know Sam Bird has been looking closely at all player strengths of the Celtic squad.”
Following a weeks’ break for the international Netball Quad Series, Stars will be looking to be more ruthless with possession.
After losing 52-44 to last seasons finalists Loughborough Lightning in their second game of the season (Saturday, January 12) the Severn Stars’ Head Coach, Sam Bird, said: “We need to be more ruthless with possession and punish opponents when we have the opportunity.”
Vitality Netball Superleague round three fixtures:
Friday, January 25: Severn Stars v Celtic Dragons (7.30pm), Saracens Mavericks v Loughborough Lightning (7pm).
Saturday, January 26: Manchester Thunder v Strathclyde Sirens (5pm), London Pulse v Wasps (7pm).
Monday, January 28: Team Bath v Surrey Storm (7pm, live on Sky Sports).
Dragons fixtures 2019 – home games played at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.
Celtic Dragons 41, Team Bath 58
January
Saturday 12 London Pulse 40, Celtic Dragons 67
Friday 25 v Severn Stars (away, 7.30pm)
February
Monday 4 v Saracens Mavericks (home, 7pm)
Friday 8 v Strathclyde Sirens (away, 7.30pm)
Monday 18 v Wasps (home, 7pm)
Monday 25 v Manchester Thunder (home, 7pm)
March
Saturday 2 v Surrey Storm (away, 6pm)
Saturday 9 v Loughborough Lightning (home, 4pm)
Saturday 16 v Team Bath (away, 5pm)
Monday 25 v London Pulse (home, 7pm)
Saturday 30 v Severn Stars (home, 4pm)
April
Saturday 6 v Manchester Storm (away, 5pm)
Saturday 3 v Strathclyde Sirens (home, 4pm)
Saturday 20 v Saracens Mavericks (away, midday)
Sunday 21 v Wasps (away, midday)
Saturday 27 v Surrey Storm (home 4pm)
May
Saturday 4 Loughborough Lightning v Celtic Dragons (6pm)
For home match ticket information click on the Dragons name Celtic Dragons