Mel Mansfield: ‘We’ve been training since September for this and we’re excited to play’

Wasps Netball head coach Mel Mansfield says her squad are in great physical condition ahead of the opening weekend of action in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

The Black and Gold begin their campaign on Sunday evening against the Severn Stars, before facing the Loughborough Lightning a day later.

Wasps’ opening fixture against Severn begins at 18:00 and will be broadcast on Sky Sports.

The contest marks the start of Mansfield’s third season in charge, and she is optimistic about her side’s ability to compete at the highest level on Sunday.

“We’ve been training since September for this and we’re excited to play. It’s been a difficult build up with lots of uncertainty but we’re in as good a position as possible heading into what will be a tough couple of games,” said Mansfield.

“Despite the disrupted training schedule, the team smashed their fitness testing this week and that has proved to me that we are in a great place physically to compete.

“The aim has to be to make top four again and we have no doubt that’s where we want to be. There has been a lot of player movement in the league, teams have strengthened and we have brought in some new faces too – we’re expecting every game to be a huge challenge.”

The team has been working incredibly hard to get to this stage

– Sophia Candappa

Newly-appointed captain Sophia Candappa praised her teammates for their work during the offseason.

“It’s been a really long build-up and the team has been working incredibly hard to get to this stage,” Candappa said.

“I’m really proud of the group and how they have got on with it, got stuck into the training despite the difficult circumstances, ahead of what will be a very unusual season.

“We know we’re very fortunate to be able to play.  A year is a long time away from the court and we want to put on a good performance for our fans watching at home.”

As part of the competition’s Covid measures, fixtures will be staged at two centralized locations this season. Wakefield’s Studio 001 will host the first half of the calendar, with teams heading to the Copper Box Arena in Stratford midway through the season.