The Vitality Roses, England’s national netball team, are set to play South Africa and Malawi at the Motorpoint Arena next month.
The Vitality Nations Cup, one of the world’s biggest netball competitions, debuted at the Motorpoint Arena in 2020 but hasn’t returned to the city – until now.
The Vitality Roses, who came 2nd in last year’s cup, are currently 2nd in the World Netball rankings.
They will face Malawi (ranked seventh) on February 1, and South Africa (ranked fifth) on February 2.
Uganda will also face South Africa and Malawi in matches at the Motorpoint Arena over the same weekend.
England’s final game against Uganda will take place at the Copper Box Arena in London on February 8, followed by third-place play-offs and the final on February 9.
Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby says it will be a ‘big challenge’ for the team.
She said: “We can’t wait for this February’s international series and what will be a brilliant test against these exciting and ever-strengthening African nations.
“It will be a big challenge for us and it is important always to make sure we’re paying attention to these emerging nations who are on the rise in world netball way out from what will be the next Commonwealth Games in 2026 and Netball World Cup in 2027.
“It will be a big challenge for us”
– Head Coach Jess Thirlby
“They’ve always got ability and talent in abundance and when they harness that, they’re a real threat on the international stage.
“We’ve had some great matches against these teams in recent times, notably against South Africa in 2023, so I can’t wait for February, it will be a brilliant Vitality Netball Nations Cup.”
Platform Magazine is offering one lucky reader the chance to win five tickets to either the Malawi game or the South Africa game.
For the chance to win tickets visit our Instagram and follow the instructions in our pinned post.