Celtic Dragons Announce Squad for 2016-17 Superleague Season.

Wales’ franchise team, the Celtic Dragons have announced their squad of twelve players, ahead of the upcoming Vitality Netball Superleague 2016-17.

The announcement sees the return of six players to the squad, as well as several new talented players.  Former Celtic Dragons captain Suzy Drane returns for her 12^th season with the Dragons, along with Wales international team mates Kelly Morgan, Kyra Jones, Sara Bell and Bethan Dyke.   Eleanor Roberts has also featured in the Celtic Dragons squad during the 2014-15 season, and has represented Wales within the U17 and U19 age group.

Celtic Dragons are also delighted to announce the signing of attacker Kalifa McCollin from Trinidad and Tobago, and New Zealand centre court player Stacey Peeters.

“I am delighted to be part of the Celtic Dragons playing roster for 2017,” says 24 year old Peeters, who was a member of the New Zealand U21 squad who won the Netball World Youth Cup in 2013.

“I have been really impressed with the set up at the Dragons and in what they want to achieve on and off the court.  I am also really looking forward to mixing with the best players in the UK and helping the Dragons be a competitive force in the competition.”

Three Wales Under 21 international players will make their Dragons debut:  Wales U21 recent Captain Fern Davies, goal shooter Lydia Hitchings, and goal keeper Leila Thomas.

Former England Under 17 and Under 19 long squad netball player, Lois Rideout also joins the team as a defender.

In June 2016, Celtic Dragons announced their successful four year contract in the prestigious netball Superleague.  The franchise team will be one of ten teams to go head-to-head in 18 matches from February to June 2017.  As the only Welsh team in the Superleague, the Dragons combine the finest players from all over Wales with a mixture of international talented netball players blended into the group.

Celtic Dragons former Captain Suzy Drane says she’s looking forward to building on last year’s performance, where Celtic Dragons finished at 7^th place:

“I’m looking forward to working with Head Coach Trish Wilcox, the management team and my team mates to build on our performances last season and gain even more success this coming season.

“With a fresh faced team and new look Superleague the season ahead is set to be extremely exciting.”

Welsh Netball CEO, Sarah Jones said:

“We are delighted to announce the Celtic Dragons squad, and it’s great to welcome returning strong  Welsh players combined with new fresh faces from Trinidad and Tobago and of course New Zealand.

“This is also a fantastic opportunity to nurture the young Wales U21 players who have joined the Celtic Dragons.  This is an incredible platform to develop young Welsh talent who are part of the Welsh Netball Performance Pathway.

“This will bring them valuable experience as they prepare for the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana, under the strong guidance of Head Coach Trish Wilcox.”

Head Coach Wilcox said:

“I am delighted to be able to name so many home grown Welsh players in the squad for this upcoming season, and the addition of two World class players Stacey and Kalifa completes our squad.

“Being able to give several of our young Wales U21 players exposure at this level of competition will not only benefit the franchise in the long term, but Wales in the future.”

• Celtic Dragons matches will be announced before 2017.
• Tickets for Celtic Dragons matches will be released before Christmas. Celtic Dragons look forward to welcoming their Green Army fan base back for another exciting season of top level netball.
• Celtic Dragons Head Coach will be Trish Wilcox. Wilcox is also Head Coach for Wales’ senior team.
• Wales Under 21 recently qualified for the World Youth Cup which will be hosted by Botswana in July 2017.

Stacey Peeters:
Nationality: Kiwi
Height: 1.73m
Position: WD, C
NZ ANZ Championship history: Steel 2013 – present
National squads: NZ Under-21 2011-2013, Winner of 2013 U21 World Youth Cup, NZ Secondary Schools 2010

Stacey is originally from a dairy farm on the outskirts of a rural town called Gore. Stacey was Head Girl at St Peters College where she made the New Zealand Secondary Schools netball team. In order to further her studies, Stacey moved to Dunedin where she balanced her studies with representative netball.  Stacey was selected in the New Zealand U21 netball team from 2011-2013, who won the U21 World Youth Cup that was held in Glasgow.  Stacey was named in the ANZ Championship team:  Ascot Park Southern Steel in 2013. I have continued to play for this franchise until I felt it was time for a change.  Stacey studied full time while playing semi-professional netball and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Applied Science.   Stacey now works for the Otago Academy of Sport and is the coordinator for the New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy.

Kalifa McCollin:
Age: 21

Nationality: Trinidadian

Height: 5’11

Playing Positions: GA, GS, WA

Kalifa is a vibrant, young player, who displays consistent shooting accuracy. She shows creativity and critical thinking skills whilst on court. Kalifa began playing netball at age 6 in her local league with her present club, Soul City Sports and Cultural.  She preceded through the ranks of the national representative teams from the Under 16 to the senior level. Immediately after her debut on a World stage at the Youth World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, she stepped on to the National Senior team, at age 17 where she then participated in various tri-series to gain much needed experience. Kalifa made an appearance in the 2014 Commonwealth games and at the Netball World Cup in Australia the following year. Kalifa ended her rally at the Netball World Cup with a shooting average of 92%.

Suzy Drane:
Age: 29
Nationality: Welsh. Lives in Cardiff.
Height: 170cm
Position: WD, C
This will be Suzy’s 12^th season with the Celtic Dragons. Suzy has been with the Celtic Dragons since its formation and the beginning of the Superleague in 2005.  Suzy has been Captain for the CD for several years, and has also captained the Wales first team.   Suzy has 79 Wales caps to her name. Suzy is a lecturer in Sport Development and Performance Sport at Cardiff Metropolitan University.  Major tournaments: World Youth Cup 2005; Netball Europe tournaments; Netball World Cup 2011 and 2015; Commonwealth Games 2006 and 2014; Wales’ tour to South Africa for Tri-Series in June 2016.