Final Dragons confirmed
Familiar faces and new additions! Roses have confirmed their final members for 2023
Annabel Roddy, Leila Thomas, Ally Housley, Shaquanda Greene-Noel, and Millie Carter make up our 2023 defensive unit!
Our first defender is back for her second season in green. Annabel Roddy returns! We’re excited to see joint Dragon of the Season play in Cardiff again for season 2023. Last season, Annabel recorded 59 deflections and 64 turnovers and won two VNSL Player of the Match awards.
Talking about this season, Annabel remarked “I am really looking forward to playing for Celtic Dragons this year and being back out in front of the Green Army. We are determined to push on from last season and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for the team.”
Our next defender made her debut for Dragons back in 2019 and she’s here for another! Leila Thomas will be putting on the green dress for her fourth season! Leila is a Welsh International netballer who has recently competed in the Commonwealth Games.
Leila said, “I’m so excited to be back for my fourth season with Dragons. Last season, our team culture was stronger than ever. I can’t wait to be back with the team, see some familiar and new faces and further build on connections to improve on last season’s results.”
She’s a new face to Celtic Dragons. Ally Housley will be playing in front of the Green Army for season 2023! Ally is a tenacious athlete who has represented England, and has been part of the pathway since she was 14. Ally gained her first senior cap for England at the Europe Netball Open Championships in 2019. Previously Ally has been a training partner for Wasps Netball, and has been a part of the U21 squad, where she was coached by Dannii. We can’t wait to show you what Ally can do on court!
When speaking about the new season, Ally said, “Everyone is always excited for a new season, however, having the opportunity to be coached by Dannii again and to be a part of a new team brings more excitement than any year before. There will be lots more challenges to come, but my last season in Australia has prepared me for how best to take them on.”
This person’s return was never in doubt! She’s been playing games before the league has started. Queen of the hustle, Shaquanda Greene-Noel is back for season 2! Our Green Army Player of the Season will return to Cardiff, and we’re ready to see her top the VNSL stats tables once again. Last season, Quanda featured in the top 3 for most intercepts and topped the statistics for most turnovers (119).
After signing for another season, Shaquanda said, “A highly anticipated reunion and an absolute pleasure to recapture the indomitable spirit of the Dragon.”
Millie Carter has been part of our Dragons Pathway and is now elevated to our squad of 15. Millie is looking forward to start training again with her fellow defenders.
When speaking to Millie, she said, “I am very excited to start training with the girls and can’t wait to see what my future will hold. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a training partner for the team.”
We are delighted to have revealed our 2023 Celtic Dragons Squad, and can’t wait to continue to build from last year.
Your 2023 Celtic Dragons Squad is: Georgia Rowe, Chelsea Beard, Zoe Matthewman, Gabby Sinclair, Shona O’Dwyer, Laura Rudland, Hannah Leighton, Clare Jones, Annabel Roddy, Leila Thomas, Ally Housley, and Shaquanda Greene-Noel, with Phillipa Yarranton Celyn Emanuel, and Millie Carter as Training Partners.
PIC: Ben Lumley
