Surrey Storm
Founded | 2005 (as the Brunel Hurricanes) | |
---|---|---|
Based in | Guildford, Surrey | |
Regions |
Greater London South East England | |
Home venue | Surrey Sports Park | |
Chairperson | Mark Garfoot | |
Head coach |
Kathryn Ratnapala Tallisa Haynes | |
Manager | Tom Reseigh | |
League | Netball Superleague | |
2015/2016 placing | Champions | |
|
The Surrey Storm are an English netball team based at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, Surrey that compete in the Netball Superleague. They were formed as the Brunel Hurricanes in 2005 and played at Brunel University in London, before they moved to Guildford and played their matches at the nearby Guildford Spectrum for two seasons before they were rebranded as the Surrey Storm in August 2009 and moved to the Surrey Sports Park.
Background
Surrey Storm are one of eight teams in the Netball Superleague, are the Netball Superleague franchise for London and the South East.[1] Storm's partners, Surrey Sports Park and the University of Surrey have invested heavily in to building a world class squad of athletes as well as developing a new netball brand and vision.[2]
Formed in 2009, following the disbandment of Brunel Hurricanes, Storm won their first regular season before narrowly missing out on a place in the Grand Final.
The 2010/11 campaign saw seven re-signed and seven newly contracted players take to the court, with the season starting on Saturday 22 January, at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford against Team Northumbria. The Storm progressed to the finals, but were defeated 57–46 by the Hertfordshire Mavericks.
They were placed fourth when they competed in the World Premier Club Challenge December 2012, narrowly beating Northern Panthers from Northern Ireland and Glasgow Wildcats from Scotland.
The 2011-12 season saw Storm reach their 2nd Superleague Grand Final in as many years after losing just one game throughout the regular season and finishing top of the table. Defeating Team Bath in the semi finals, Storm went on to face rivals Northern Thunder in the Grand Final, and once again missed out on the title by the narrowest of margins, losing 55-57 at the SportHouse in Dagenham, Essex.
The 2012-13 campaign was a rollercoaster season for Surrey Storm, who reached the semi finals after finishing top of the Showdown League following impressive wins against Team Bath and Manchester Thunder, losing out on a place in the Grand Final to Welsh surprise package Celtic Dragons. In 2013-14 Storm went the entire Superleague season unbeaten winning 12 games and drawing 2 in a season which featured their new record-breaking Netball London Live event. Storm broke the domestic netball attendance record in a nail-biting 52-50 victory over Mavericks in front of 3,151 fans at the Olympic Park's Copper Box Arena.
After finishing top of the league in the regular season, Storm faced Mavericks again in a home semi-final, winning 52-42 after a superb second half comeback. Storm then traveled to the Worcester Arena to face Manchester Thunder in the 2014 Superleague Grand Final, where they hoped to make it third time lucky. However Storm suffered last-second heartbreak going down 48-49 after conceding a last second goal and once again finished Superleague runners-up for a third time in four years.
2015 saw the return of England Captain Pamela Cookey who will add strength and experience to the side as they aim for their first title.[3]
Tamsin Greenway brought South African international Bongiwe Msomi ahead of their game with Manchester Thunder on the 12th March. Speaking to Sky Sports Tamsin said that she had been trying to bring her to the team since the Commonwealth Games. On 4 April following Storm's 73-30 away win against Celtic Dragons at Sport Wales National Centre it was confirmed that Storm would finish at least in the top four of the Super League this season and have a semi final to be played on 18 April.
Storm secured their biggest win of the 14/15 season away against Team Northumbria. The game at Sport Central on 13 April finished 20 - 86 and it was the most goals scored in a match, the fewest conceded and the biggest winning margin this season.
Storm secured a home Semi Final against Yorkshire Jets at Surrey Sports Park, a neck and neck first half saw Storm make an inspired break through during the third quarter as Josie Huckle and Amy Flanagan took to the court. This set up a game against Hertfordshire Mavericks who beat Manchester Thunder in an upset in the later Semi Final.
The Copper Box in the Olympic Park held the Super League Finals (6.10pm start and broadcast live on Sky) on Saturday 25 April. After 6 years and 4 finals Surrey Storm finally became Superleague Champions beating Mavericks 56-39. Pamela Cookey was awarded Player of the Match.
2015 team
Team Manager: Tom Reseigh
- Hannah Reid (Captain)
- Katy Holland
- Bongiwe Msomi
- Rachel Dunn
- Pamela Cookey
- Georgia Lees
- Laurelle Borck
- Mikki Austin
- Katie Harris
- Josie Huckle
- Tamsin Greenway
- Kat Hayes
- Becky Gentle
- Katt Ainsworth
- Amy Flanagan
2011 Team
- Tamsin Greenway (Captain)
- Becky Trippick (Vice-Captain)
- Rachel Dunn
- Fran Plom
- Rhianne McHale
- Gemma Cosentino
- Zoe Leavers
- Adele Modeste
- Lucy Adams
- Fran Desmond
- Stef Bello
- Katy Holland
- Natalie Seaton
- Hannah Reid
References
Surrey Storm Netball Official website
26th Apr 15 - Champions! Surrey Storm 56 - 39 Hearfordshire Mavericks. (Surrey Storm Website)
16th Dec 14 - Pamela Cookey admits she'd "like to be a world champion". (Sky Sports)
12th Dec 14 - Tamsin Greenway and Pamela Cookey Named in England Squad for Malawi Tests (Sky Sports)
27th Nov 14 - 2015 Superleague Squad Announced (Surrey Storm)