England netball head coach Anna Stembridge emphasized the need for her players to gain more consistent exposure to high-pressure international competition following their fourth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games. The England Roses were defeated 68-50 by Australia in the bronze medal match on August 2, marking their second consecutive finish just outside the medals in major multi-sport events.
The loss was the second time in the tournament that England fell to the Australian Diamonds by double digits, highlighting a performance gap the Roses must address ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup. Stembridge pointed to the differences in domestic league experience as a key factor. Australia’s players all compete in Super Netball, regarded as the world’s premier netball league, providing them with regular high-intensity match situations. In contrast, only three England players currently play in Australia, a reduction from the six who featured in England’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Stembridge acknowledged that most of her current squad lacked significant exposure to the pressures of elite international tournaments. “Only two of those players have ever played at the Commonwealth Games and felt that level of pressure,” she said. “We have to try and find a way to simulate that week in, week out.”
The coach also noted that some promising players, such as Lois Pearson and Funmi Fadoju, have been linked with moves to the Australian league but are committed to the upcoming 2027 Netball Super League season in England. Stembridge believes England must explore all opportunities to narrow the gap. She cited Jamaica as an example, pointing out how their players’ regular participation in Super Netball has benefitted their performance on the international stage.
New Zealand secured the Commonwealth Games gold medal by defeating Jamaica 56-48, earning their first title since 2010. As England looks ahead to the next World Cup, making adjustments to player development and international experience will be central to Stembridge’s strategy to elevate the Roses into medal contention.