Team Bath's Jess Thirlby named new England netball head coach

Former Team Bath player Jess Thirlby is to take over from Tracey Neville as England head coach. Credit: Team Bath

Former Team Bath head coach Jess Thirlby has been appointed England netball head coach.

Thirlby, who left the Blue and Golds this summer after 20 years as player and coach, succeeds Tracey Neville. She takes on the role days after the Roses won bronze at the Netball World Cup.

Jess Thirlby coaching the Blue and Golds at Bath University. Credit: ITV West Country

Thirlby represented England from 1991 to 2006 and has also coached the international squad at every level. She says she's looking forward to building on the momentum of the Roses' world cup campaign.

Joanna Adams, the CEO of England Netball, says her "thorough understanding of the elite netball landscape and experience of working with some of the Vitality Roses’, both past and present, makes her the perfect fit for this role".

Meanwhile Sara Symington, England Netball's Performance Director describes her as "living and breathing" netball.

Thirlby - and the Roses - will now set their sights on success at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

England celebrating bronze at the Netball World Cup - will there be even greater success at the Commonwealth Games under Jess Thirlby? Credit: PA