Wasps sign Jade Clarke

England Netball hall-of-fame star Jade Clarke has been announced as Wasps Netball’s first new signing ahead of the 2018 Superleague season.

The mid-court veteran, who is England’s most capped international player of all-time, joins Wasps Netball from elite Australian Super Netball side, Adelaide Thunderbirds.

She is the first new signing to be announced by the reigning Superleague champions, as the team go in search of back-to-back league titles in 2018.

The 33-year-old centre/wing defence had a short stint with Loughborough Lightning in 2016 but has spent the majority of the last five years playing in New Zealand and Australia.

Clarke joined New-Zealand based Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in 2011, before going on to line-up for Northern Mystics, Canterbury Tactix, NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds.

She has enjoyed an illustrious international career spanning over a decade, competing in four World Cups, three Commonwealth Games and two World Netball series tournaments.

Clarke lined-up alongside her new Director of Netball Tamsin Greenway in the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winning teams. She also won took home bronze in the World Cup in 2011 and 2015.

In 2014, she was named as England Roses captain and inducted into the England Hall of Fame the same year – she remains an integral player in the national set-up.

Clarke said: “I’m really excited to be joining a team with a great winning culture and to be back in England to get the chance to compete in the Superleague next season.

“Of course, getting the opportunity to be coached by Tamsin will be fantastic too – we played together for England and I know how well she reacts under pressure.

“There’s lots of exciting young players here at Wasps, and experienced stars who I’ve played with over the years.

“I’m ready to work hard and help continue that winning feeling the team has from last year. It will be a huge challenge but I’m ready for the pressure and will be bringing my determination and experience to the court.”

Tamsin Greenway is delighted to be bringing a player of Clarke’s calibre to the Ricoh Arena.

She said: “Jade has been consistently one of England’s top players for over a decade now and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board for the upcoming season.

“I have played alongside Jade and watched her shine abroad for the past six years, she will no doubt bring experience and star quality to our team and help us to dominate games in the mid-court.

“Of course, we ended last season as champions but we are always striving to get better and I am confident that bringing Jade on board will help us to do that.”