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South Wales Argus
09-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Jodie Gibson hails fairytale ending despite defeat
A silver medal was not what Jodie Gibson wanted to take away from the Netball Super League Grand Final, but she refused to let it spoil her retirement party. The 2025 Grand Final was Gibson's final match of an illustrious career, which saw her represent four Super League teams and win the title twice with Manchester Thunder, as well as claim an historic Commonwealth gold medal with England in 2018. Yet for all of her accomplishments on the court, Gibson could not help but be overcome by the way she was able to bow out in front of almost 10,000 fans at the O2 Arena, a world away from her debut in 2009 and testament to the growth of the game during her career. 'I guess you want that fairytale ending, but this for me still feels like a fairytale,' she said 'I am in a final, at the O2 Arena, playing in front of thousands of people – a record-breaking crowd – to be here is a dream come true. 'It feels like a real privilege that I can say I ended my career this way. 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! July 6, 2025 'When I first stepped on a court for Northern Thunder in 2009, we were in Bury Leisure Centre where I used to do my school swimming lessons. There were maybe 5-600 people there, maybe less. 'Sixteen years later, I have just finished my career at the O2 Arena. I was here watching Usher recently, and now I am here playing on the court in front of all of those people 'Yes, I am wearing a silver medal around my neck - I would change that because I want a gold medal - but I don't think I would change the moment. It feels like an amazing occasion, and I am just really proud that I am here. It has been one hell of a ride.' Gibson's Lightning played some of their matches at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, as well as facing a number of other sides in arenas across the country but she admitted it was not until the Grand Final that the progress really came home. 'There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the league, we felt it this year, but we really felt it today,' she said. 'Today was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this league. 'There was so much talk before the game about playing at the O2, but until I actually stepped in the venue, I didn't truly believe that it would feel like that. 'There was an opportunity for netball to catapult off the success of 2018, I think they missed that, but netball is definitely back, it has arrived, and I look forward to seeing what's next.' As Gibson walks away from netball, at least for now, she does so with medals but more importantly memories that she will hold onto forever. 'In my whole career, this year has been when I've been happiest,' she said. 'I set that as an objective, and I genuinely believe I can walk away with so many fond memories. 'I will cherish the friendships that I have made, the communities that I am now a part of.' 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.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jodie Gibson hails fairytale ending despite defeat
By James Reid A silver medal was not what Jodie Gibson wanted to take away from the Netball Super League Grand Final, but she refused to let it spoil her retirement party. The 2025 Grand Final was Gibson's final match of an illustrious career, which saw her represent four Super League teams and win the title twice with Manchester Thunder, as well as claim an historic Commonwealth gold medal with England in 2018. Advertisement Yet for all of her accomplishments on the court, Gibson could not help but be overcome by the way she was able to bow out in front of almost 10,000 fans at the O2 Arena, a world away from her debut in 2009 and testament to the growth of the game during her career. 'I guess you want that fairytale ending, but this for me still feels like a fairytale,' she said. 'I am in a final, at the O2 Arena, playing in front of thousands of people – a record-breaking crowd – to be here is a dream come true. 'It feels like a real privilege that I can say I ended my career this way. Jodie Gibson won the Commonwealth Games with England in 2018. 'When I first stepped on a court for Northern Thunder in 2009, we were in Bury Leisure Centre where I used to do my school swimming lessons. There were maybe 5-600 people there, maybe less. Advertisement 'Sixteen years later, I have just finished my career at the O2 Arena. I was here watching Usher recently, and now I am here playing on the court in front of all of those people 'Yes, I am wearing a silver medal around my neck - I would change that because I want a gold medal - but I don't think I would change the moment. It feels like an amazing occasion, and I am just really proud that I am here. It has been one hell of a ride.' The Grand Final at the O2 also brought home the step change currently underway in domestic netball. Gibson's Lightning played some of their matches at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, as well as facing a number of other sides in arenas across the country but she admitted it was not until the Grand Final that the progress really came home. Advertisement 'There has been a lot of talk around the professionalisation of the league, we felt it this year, but we really felt it today,' she said. 'Today was the first time where I have felt there was a true change in this league. 'There was so much talk before the game about playing at the O2, but until I actually stepped in the venue, I didn't truly believe that it would feel like that. 'There was an opportunity for netball to catapult off the success of 2018, I think they missed that, but netball is definitely back, it has arrived, and I look forward to seeing what's next.' As Gibson walks away from netball, at least for now, she does so with medals but more importantly memories that she will hold onto forever. Advertisement 'In my whole career, this year has been when I've been happiest,' she said. 'I set that as an objective, and I genuinely believe I can walk away with so many fond memories. 'I will cherish the friendships that I have made, the communities that I am now a part of.' 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.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lightning 'not hiding' from historic three-peat
Loughborough Lightning's chance to claim an unprecedented Netball Super League 'three-peat' makes them overqualified to be underdogs for Sunday's Grand Final, says head coach Vic Leicestershire outfit have a shot at becoming the first side to win three successive NSL titles when they face London Pulse in the decider at the O2 Arena in the nation's Loughborough are two-time defending champions, Pulse topped the table at the end of the regular season and overcame Lightning 50-49 in the major semi-final just two weeks ago to seal a spot in the showpiece however, set up the high-stakes rematch by beating Manchester Thunder last weekend to reach their fifth straight Grand Final."We have a lot of history, we know how to win in pressure situations and we step up to the plate when it's needed," Burgess told BBC Radio Leicester."This is our fifth final in a row and we are going for a fourth championship. "We have beaten Pulse once this season and they have beaten us twice but I don't think we are the underdogs. I think Pulse want it, but I actually think we want it more."And it is something of history-making proportions that Lightning desire on Sunday."The opportunity to do the 'three-peat' is there because it is their right," Burgess said."There is no point not talking about it because it is reality - if we do this, we do create some history. So why hide away from it?" Burgess says the narrow defeat by Pulse in their last meeting, which sent Lightning the long way round to reach the Grand Final, has worked to Loughborough's advantage."Leading up to the final we have put ourselves in the best position possible," she added. "We have had that extra game, and that intensity has kept us focused."I know the players will be raring to get back on the court against Pulse again so we can right some wrongs."The loss two weeks ago against Pulse in the major semi, that really did hit quite hard. It was a hard loss for everyone to take because it was one point and we had it [the advantage] at certain points in the game. No one wants to feel like that again."Goal keeper Alice Harvey has been with Loughborough throughout their recent years of dominance - with this set to be her fifth Grand Final appearance in as many years - but says "nothing is being taken for granted"."This season has been hard and at no point did it ever feel like we were guaranteed to make the Grand Final," she told BBC East Midlands Today."Just because we have so much success behind us doesn't mean it will continue. We know we have to stick to our structures, processes and everything that has worked so far."I know it's not a given, but I am also in a team that pushes for high performance and making it into a Grand Final is the reward for that."
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Champions Lightning beat Thunder to reach Grand Final
Loughborough Lightning have the chance to go for an unprecedented three-peat after booking their spot to face London Pulse in the Netball Super League Grand Final. Defending champions Lightning were condemned to the preliminary final after they were beaten last week by Pulse, the regular season leaders. Advertisement That meant a repeat of last year's Grand Final against Manchester Thunder and hosts Lightning came from behind to win 69-57 on Sunday. Thunder scored 10 unanswered goals en route to a 19-12 lead after the first quarter, but Lightning did not look back after a blistering second. After going 27-20 down, Jodie Gibson came on at goal defence to give Lightning a boost, while Samantha Wallace-Joseph did the damage at the other end. The Trinidad and Tobago shooter converted five two-point super shots during the second quarter to help Lightning into a 37-30 lead at half-time. Thunder called a tactical timeout at 44-33 down, while South Africa shooter Elmere van der Berg was brought off for the first time all season. Advertisement But Lightning still led 52-40 heading into the final quarter and stayed clear to book a rematch with Pulse in next Sunday's Grand Final at London's O2 Arena. How do Lightning and Pulse match up? Lightning and Pulse were vying for top spot for much of the regular season, and their direct tussles were fascinating. In round two, Pulse scored a statement 77-51 victory in Loughborough over the reigning champions, but that result was avenged at the Copper Box in May, when Lightning were 58-53 winners. Table-topping Pulse took the honours 50-49 in a play-off semi-final nailbiter, and now the teams go at it again. Advertisement The Grand Final line-up is the same as in 2023, when Lightning came from behind to win, and big-stage experience weighs heavily in Loughborough's favour. Pulse topped the regular-season table in 2023, too, but could not finish the job in the play-offs and are still seeking a first NSL title.
South Wales Argus
29-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Smith aiming to stop former team as Thunder target Final
The South African won the Netball Super League with Lightning last season, marking a statement debut campaign in England. Smith made a summer switch to Manchester Thunder and now faces her old side in this season's Preliminary Final, with a place in the Grand Final against London Pulse on the line when they meet on Sunday. But the defender insists she doesn't have the inside scoop on her opponents and knows a typically tough game is in the offing. 'It's not going to be an easy game. We've been training really hard, and I am excited to see what is going to happen,' she said. 'When I come up against Loughborough, I have treated it as just another game, it's just another team. 'Loughborough are doing things differently this year so I can't go back on what I knew from last year; I don't have any inside information.' Smith's transition from one high-flying franchise to another has not been without its difficulties. The South African started the season injured after breaking her arm playing for her country in January. She subsequently missed the entirety of pre-season and made her return to court with the league already in full swing. "When we found out the Grand Final was at @TheO2 Arena, it gave us that extra bit of fight." 💗 🏟️ @Pulse_Netball captain @ZaraJaelE talks about what it means to have the opportunity to play at the 2025 Grand Final in her 'home' city on Sunday 6 July. Buy your tickets now ⬇️ — Netball Super League (@NetballSL) June 22, 2025 Smith proved to be the least of Thunder's injury problems, with shooters Lois Pearson and Paige Reed both missing the majority of the season through hamstring and foot injuries respectively. It has meant there have been rocky moments at times in Smith's debut season in the yellow dress, as Thunder got to grips with an ever-changing cast of temporary replacements and NXT Gen players. But with their full squad now available to them for the play-off campaign, Smith hopes it will play in their favour having shown little of their hand to their opponents earlier in the campaign. 'A move is never easy to make. At the start of the season, I had an injury so I didn't have any pre-season games and my first game was in the league,' reflected Smith. 'We have had a lot of injuries, particularly losing our shooters but we were able to get through the season. It's something we can be really proud of, hopefully this weekend we show what we can do as a team. 'Having your full team at the end of the season is hopefully great timing. It's really nice having everyone back, it is a real boost. I think it is an advantage for us because there won't be a lot of footage available of our full team.' Thunder travel to Lightning off the back of victory over London Mavericks in the minor semi-final, having secured third place in the regular season table. Manchester Thunder are yet to beat Loughborough Lightning in the NSL this season (Image: Ben Lumley) Victory will punch their ticket to the O2 Arena on Sunday 6 July, where they will face London Pulse in the first Grand Final held at the iconic venue. A win there would seal back-to-back Super League titles for Smith, joining an elite club of players to win consecutive titles with different clubs, but she knows it will be no easy feat. 'It was a privilege coming to the league last year and having the opportunity to playing in the final and win,' she said. 'It's not an easy thing to do, it's not a given. 'Not being from this country, I didn't actually know how big the O2 was. I had to ask the girls 'is it really that big?' 'I am really excited to go there, it is a bigger venue than last year and the atmosphere is going to be great.'
