Launch Event Success

England Netball shooting sensation Jo Harten has been named as the new Loughborough Lightning captain following a community launch event held last weekend.

The Midlands’ premier netball team launched their season in style last weekend with a gala evening of entertainment hosted at Loughborough University and attended by more than 200 people.

Lightning’s players for the 2009/10 Cooperative Netball Superleague season were unveiled at in front of a full house at the netball badminton centre as attendees were treated to two netball matches, a fashion show, dance displays, Q&As with the Lightning England players and a demonstration from the Royal Air Force.

Loughborough student Harten heads an up-and-coming Lightning team for the forthcoming season and follows in the footsteps of England players Jade Clarke and Olivia Murphy who have captained the side since its inception four seasons ago.

Harten is joined by fellow England U21 squad members SJ O’Sullivan, Katie Rose, Layla Guscoth, Alex Kirk and Michaella McFarlane as well as former England U19 players Masego Motaung and Jade Forbes-Wattley in the 15-strong squad that features eight Loughborough students past and present.

The team has an international flavour this year with Australia U21 invitee Rebecca White joining Loughborough in the mid-court.

Lightning start their 2009/10 Superleague campaign on Saturday 12 December away to Leeds. Local Lightning fans get their first chance to see the team in action on Monday 21 December when their grudge match against University rivals Bath is played out in front of the Sky TV cameras from 7.30pm.

For ticket details and more information call 01509 226250

This article was taken from the Loughborough sport development website.