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South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
How London Pulse won the Netball Super League
Halimat Adio, Tyler Orr, and Sophie Kelly streamed onto the court – they knew it was all over – while others embraced and 16-year-old Gracie Smith lapped up the crowd's adulation. Eventually, they all settled for lying down on the court, staring up at what they had achieved. A first Netball Super League title was the result of both five years of building under Sam Bird, and more recent changes that transformed Pulse from challengers to champions. Pulse finished last in their debut season in 2019 but by 2022 reached the play-offs, and a year later their first Grand Final, where their youthful side was beaten by an experienced Loughborough Lightning outfit. A semi-final exit last season could have been seen as a step back, but some small tweaks were all that was required to complete an historic treble, winning the Super Cup, topping the regular season table and then taking the final step of Grand Final victory. Champions crowned 👑@ZaraJaelE gets to hold the NSL trophy up high as @Pulse_Netball become NSL champions for the first time ever 🙌 — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) July 6, 2025 Pulse's Grand Final triumph over Lightning typified much of the basis of their success. Four of the starting seven at the O2 – Adio, Funmi Fadoju, Zara Everitt, and Olivia Tchine - have been with the club since the start of Bird's tenure in 2020 while another – Alicia Scholes, who joined in 2022 – brought the tally of Vitality Roses to five; all made their international debuts at Pulse. It is that homegrown quintet that has formed the basis of Pulse's recent success, having finished in the play-offs in the three seasons prior to finally getting their hands on the Netball Super League trophy. The connections that continuity has brought is evident on the court, with Adio and Fadoju comprising a fearsome duo in the defensive circle, but of equal value has been the friendships and bonds formed off it. 'It makes a huge difference,' said captain Everitt. 'It is obviously easier to be friends when you are winning all the time. In tough moments this year, we have stuck together and that foundational friendship that we have has really helped us. 'Most of us have known each other for years and then the girls that have come in have folded in so nicely. They are some of my best friends, winning with them is just so much fun.' Pulse's familiar feel was put to the test in the middle of the season, when their electric start was brought to an end by two defeats in three matches at the hands of Nottingham Forest and Lightning. But Bird revealed there was no panic in the ranks. Instead, some honest and open conversations imbued fresh confidence that what they were doing was still the right thing as players balanced jobs, university dissertations and GCSEs. Getting the party started 🥳 Take a look inside the @Pulse_Netball dressing room for a Grand Final celebration to remember ⬇️ — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) July 8, 2025 'The response from the staff and players was excellent,' said Bird. 'There was no finger-pointing, there was a lot of personal accountability, both from the coaches and from players. 'We really recognised it was small things that contributed to those losses, and we were still the same strong roster. 'We knew we would dip; it was giving the players the faith that it's okay, you're a quality side and we will come back. Our confidence has built again about what we can do. 'This has been the most cohesive squad we have had. We can tell by them choosing to do things away from training together. There is a lot of love and respect for each other. A new name in the history books 🏆@Pulse_Netball beat Loughborough Lightning to claim the NSL title for the first time 🎊 👏 Congratulations to all involved on being crowned #NSL2025 champions! — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) July 6, 2025 'When you hit a bump in the road, it is very easy for those cracks to come to the surface, but it was the opposite with these guys, it was very much let's pull together.' The established quintet, alongside South African goal attack Nichole Breedt and young defender Darcie Everitt, formed the basis of the squad that looked to improve on their semi-final exit in 2024. The key priority in the summer signing window was the centre position with Izzi Phillips and Jade Clarke both departing. Australian Tyler Orr was quickly identified as a good fit, with Pulse spotting similarities between themselves and Adelaide Thunderbirds. 'What was missed potentially at the beginning of the season was how good Tyler Orr was going to be,' said Bird. 'They [Firebirds] have got a lot of flair in their team, a lot of different shapes and sizes, and different styles of netball. I just knew she would be a good fit for us.' Orr's addition was coupled with 16-year-old Gracie Smith, whose inclusion in the 10 initially raised eyebrows but has since proved to be one of the signings of the season. 'It was quite frustrating listening to some of the commentary and the noise across platforms about the fact I said I needed a more experienced centre and then I signed Gracie Smith,' revealed Bird. 'It really annoyed me. I have got many faults but one of my strengths is recognising talent and knowing what to do with it. Everybody has forgotten Gracie is 16.' The only other addition was Sophie Kelly, who replaced Berri Neil at goal attack, and grew stronger and stronger as the season went on, while the decision to retain Darcie Everitt was more than vindicated by her performance in the Grand Final. After Halimat Adio cramped up, the 19-year-old was thrown on against Samanatha Wallace-Joseph and held her own. 'I was so proud of her,' said sister and captain Zara Everitt. 'I didn't realise Hali was cramping up behind me, so when Darcie came on, I didn't expect it. 'She has been so ready to come on and not only prove herself but help the team. She has had some great moments throughout the season, she helped us in a tough moment and stepped up and was leading from the back. It shows the depth of our squad.' Pulse's youthful nature has been a concurrent theme of the past five years, with their title-winning squad the youngest in the league. The careers of Fadoju and Tchine - who both came through the pathway and are now key players for Pulse and England - are the best examples of the success they want to continue to achieve with their ever-expanding pathway. 'That has been the fabric of Pulse since I joined,' said Zara Everitt. 'We have always had young players that have had to step up. 'Gracie is a great example of that this year. In the final, she came on and got two crucial interceptions. 'Sophie and Darcie have had their moments of brilliance. They have added so much, and I don't think we ever see them as the younger players; we just see them as another player that is going to come on and do a job for us.' Success on the court has been underpinned by the work off it, done aways from the eyes of fans. Bird has believed for a long time that her franchise was more than ready for the advent of professionalisation and has backed those words up with actions. 'With professionalisation this year, we really invested the money in the things people don't see,' she said. 'We have got a much bigger physio resource, we have got a really good strength and conditioning team; it is a standing joke around how many people we have on the analysis team; we are up to eight analysts now. 'We've recruited a nutritionist that has been excellent for us. We've got GPS tracking now. We have really stepped up with all those performance things behind the scenes. 'I personally feel that has been a real step change. We have had specialist coaches come in, over and above the three coaches you see on gameday. We have thrown the kitchen sink at it behind the scenes. 'With my CEO hat that is scary because it costs a lot of money, you have to be prepared to put the money in and wait for the outcome. It is just getting started.' There may well be more to come – Bird has revealed she is already thinking about defending the title – but there will be time too to look back on what has been achieved in five short years. 'None of us reflect enough because it is always about what's ahead but when I am drained my husband is quite good at reminding me of where we have come from and where we are going,' said Bird.
South Wales Argus
07-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
London Pulse win first title with NSL Grand Final victory
London Pulse won their first Netball Super League title with a 53-45 victory over defending champions Loughborough Lightning in the 2025 Grand Final at the O2. In front of a record NSL crowd, Pulse overturned an early Loughborough Lightning advantage to move into the ascendancy and never relinquished it. Lightning were always in reach but were so often stifled by a Pulse team that have spent several years of heartache building their connections. Pulse kept their composure to close out their second Grand Final, having lost their first against the same opponents, to become the seventh different team to be crowned Netball Super League champions. A frantic first quarter saw neither side able to establish a stranglehold on the game. The tone was set as Halimat Adio put pressure on the Lightning attack, who sent the ball out with Adio celebrating wildly in the first minute of the game. The Pulse defence heaped pressure on their opponents, but the London side's attack were not able to convert it into advantage, with both teams struggling to find their range early on.
Leader Live
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
London Pulse win first title with NSL Grand Final victory
The first Soft & Gentle Super Shot siren sounded with Nichole Breedt in the area, but she could not take the first opportunity. In the end, Olivia Tchine sunk one to see Pulse hold a four-goal lead at quarter-time with four points in a row. Lightning finally stopped Pulse's steady flow with the lead at five and found rhythm with it to see an end to the frenetic nature of the Grand Final thus far. However, the holders' attacks were pushed further and further back by Pulse's court-covering defence, with Adio and Funmi Fadoju eventually combining to turn the ball over. The arrival of Ella Clark for Berri Neil sparked life back into Loughborough with Clark sinking Super Shot after Super Shot to Pulse's lead, which had grown to eight, reduced to just two at half-time. Sam Bird, London Pulse's head coach, made her first change of the match to begin the second half as Gracie Smith entered the fray to become the youngest Grand Final player in NSL history. A post shared by Netball Super League (@netballsl) A swirling ball into Tchine showed exactly why she was trusted with the pressure as London Pulse pushed the lead out to five points again. Lightning were almost handed a way back in when the fearsome Adio was forced off the court with an injury but Darcie Everitt, sister of captain Zara, more than held her own on her Grand Final debut. However, Vic Burgess' side saw two Super Shots bounce out to see their task stand at overhauling an eight-point advantage to retain their title. The start of their chase began perfectly as they turned the ball over to cut the lead to five, but Pulse were always able to keep them at arm's length. The return of Adio added further confidence to Sam Bird's side, who did not let up on their opposition. It meant that as they scored the final goal of the game, they were able to smile and take it all in before pandemonium erupted inside the O2 as Pulse climbed to the summit, six years after they joined the league. To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE adds another flying taxi: US-based firm partners with Abu Dhabi for latest test flight success
Abu Dhabi completes its first successful flying taxi test at Al Bateen Executive Airport, paving the way for commercial launch in early 2026/Image credits: WAM Abu Dhabi has taken a major step toward futuristic transportation by successfully completing the first test flight of a flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The flight was conducted by US-based Archer Aviation in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), marking a milestone ahead of the planned commercial launch of air taxi services in early 2026. According to Omran Malek, Head of Autonomous Mobility and Robotics at Adio, the test flight is the first in a series of structured evaluations aimed at launching not just a flying taxi service, but a full-fledged aviation ecosystem. Speaking to local news outlet Khaleej Times, Omran Malek said, 'We don't just test to test, but test to commercialise. We're not just launching an air taxi service, we're building an ecosystem around us , from pilot training to MROs, to talent development, to manufacturing with Archer Aviation, with the facility in Al Ain.' The project also involves collaborations with universities to develop specialised curricula and short diplomas to prepare a skilled workforce for the sector. Testing Under UAE Conditions The testing phase will continue through the summer months to evaluate how the aircraft performs under Abu Dhabi's hot and dusty climate. 'Then we'll bring this aircraft to fly over the city and move into the commercial phase in early 2026,' Malek said. Dr Talib Alhinai, UAE Manager at Archer Aviation, said that the aircraft used in this phase was not piloted, as the goal is to test environmental readiness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo 'It was a vertical takeoff and landing flight. Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focused specifically on evaluating the aircraft's performance in high temperature, humidity, and dust,' he noted. Roadmap to Commercial Launch and Manufacturing Once testing is complete, Archer plans to launch a small fleet of air taxis in Abu Dhabi. Key priorities for the launch include: Safe commercial operations Fully developed vertiports Airspace integration 'All that is the priority for us to launch in Abu Dhabi,' said Malek. Looking further ahead, the manufacturing of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in Al Ain in 2027, with future exports planned to other interested countries across the region. A New Mode of Daily Travel Contrary to the belief that flying taxis will be exclusive to luxury travellers, Malek said pricing in Abu Dhabi will be designed to be feasible for the general public. 'As we introduce more vertiports and aircraft, that price will scale down so that it can be used on a daily basis,' he said. The announcement comes shortly after a similar successful test flight by Joby Aviation in Dubai, showing strong momentum in the UAE's push to lead urban air mobility in the region. Dubai's First Flying Taxi Test Flight Just this week, Dubai marked a key milestone in urban mobility with the first test flight of a flying taxi developed by Joby Aviation. The test took place at Joby's test facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, located along the Dubai–Al Ain Road. Dubai is now preparing for a commercial rollout by the first half of 2026, aiming to provide residents and visitors a premium air mobility service. The UAE is leading the way in futuristic transportation, with both Abu Dhabi and Dubai successfully conducting test flights for flying taxis. These milestones reflect the country's commitment to redefining urban mobility, with significant investment in advanced technologies. By embracing innovative transport solutions, the UAE is working to become one of the most livable cities in the world, focusing on convenience, sustainability, and efficiency for residents and visitors alike.
Khaleej Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi announces first successful flying taxi test flight
Abu Dhabi on Wednesday announced a successful test flight of its flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The US-based Archer Aviation and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) announced the successful flight ahead of its commercial launch set to take place early next year. "Today is the first step of many steps that are going to happen to enable the commercialisation of air taxis in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We don't just test to test, but test to commercialise. We're not just launching an air taxi service, we're building an ecosystem around us — from pilot training to MROs to talent development to manufacturing with Archer Aviation, with the facility in Al Ain," said Omran Malek, head of autonomous mobility and robotics at Abu Dhabi Investment Office. "We are also collaborating with universities on what curricula or short diplomas need to be developed for the workforce that will go into this ecosystem." He said the test phase will continue into the summer to 'understand how this vehicle will withstand the unique summer environment with humidity and dust. Then we'll bring this aircraft to fly over the city and then into the commercial phase in early 2026.' The successful launch of a test flight by Abu Dhabi comes a couple of days after a similar successful test launch by Joby Aviation in Dubai. Both the emirates are looking to launch flying taxis in the next few quarters. Dr Talib Alhinai, manager of Archer Aviation in the UAE, said Archer just completed its first flight of its Midnight aircraft in the UAE capital, which is Archer's planned first global launch market. 'It was a vertical takeoff and landing flight at the Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi city. Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focused specifically on evaluating the aircraft's performance, including high temperature, humidity, and dust exposure. This allows us to validate our readiness for a planned commercial deployment in the UAE. The initial aircraft that we brought to the UAE specifically focuses on testing the UAE's conditions, and so it's not one of our pilot aircraft. We plan to have those in operation in the UAE later this year,' he said. 'Once we validate that readiness, we'll be able to assess our readiness for commercial deployments and expand our flight test programme.' In the initial phase of commercial launch, Archer plans to deploy a small fleet of aircraft to the UAE. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Omran Malek noted that the priority is to launch the commercial operations safely and have the ecosystem ready with the vertiports and integration with the airspace. 'So, all that is the priority for us to launch in Abu Dhabi.' He added that the aim is to launch commercial flying taxi services in early 2026 in Abu Dhabi. He added that the manufacturing of the flying taxis by Archer will begin in Al Ain in 2027. And in the next phase, they will be exported to other countries as well due to strong interest from regional countries. In terms of pricing, he said that the assumption is that this new mode of transportation is 'only for luxury travellers, which is not the case in Abu Dhabi. The price will be feasible for the public. As we introduce more vertiports and aeroplanes, that price will scale down so that it can be used on a daily basis.'
