Netball Unlocked Podcast

England Roses head coach Anna Stembridge joins Paul and Chloe to reflect on a whirlwind few months since taking over from Jess Thirlby.

12 years on from her dismissal as England coach after the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Anna discusses her journey since then, and the stability she believes the Roses team needs.

There’s plenty more to discuss, including the injury to Helen Housby, the upcoming Roses selection for Glasgow 2026 and the environment needed for success.

Anna also goes into detail on the series defeat to South Africa, and an intentionally designed tough schedule that included games against the Australian Kelpies.

And we wrap up with a look ahead to what will be success for this England squad, why the World Cup remains the ultimate ambition and plans to make Commonwealth medals the norm, rather than the anomaly.

Frankie Wells joins Paul to look back on Round 14, as the 2026 regular season in the NSL came to its conclusion.
As well as rounding up the news - including Helen Housby being ruled out of the Commonwealth Games- we catch up with Frankie on how she has taken to life as a Sky Sports commentator, her role in county and school netball and get some big picture thoughts on shooting and the NSL after two seasons of 2.0.
We dive headfirst into the drama of Thunder v Lightning, and a win for Thunder that sees them take first place. Is Karen Greig’s yellow machine unstoppable? And are injuries taking their toll on Lightning?
We reflect on a win for Pulse in Nottingham that sees them pinch second spot in the table as Frankie assesses the importance of Alicia Scholes to the defending champions and how Forest navigate their shooting circle conundrum.
With Dragons beating Mavs to secure their best finish in a decade and Panthers getting the better of Rhinos to finish seventh, we review all four teams and take an early look at what might be on the cards for 2027.
And we preview two thrilling semi-finals as Thunder and Pulse meet in Manchester for the right to go straight through to the Grand Final, and Lightning host their bogey team Forest to keep their season alive.

The countdown to the Commonwealth Games is on as Paul and Chloe drop their instant reaction to the long-awaited news confirming a new-look England Roses squad.

Ahead of an international cycle that features the Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup, the eagerly anticipated announcement has provided plenty of talking points and plenty of excitement.

We dissect what it means to see Jayda Pechová, Gracie Smith and Izzi Phillips named in the full-time programme and how all three areas of the court stack up.

Ella Clark and Alice Harvey also return, but does that mean questions elsewhere? While there are names to miss out, a realigned pathway system offers a glimpse into the future.

The introduction of a slimline Roses 'A' squad offers clues at how progress through the system may work, while we also weigh up what a brand new NXT Roses programme means for England's brightest prospects.

It’s been a busy week at Netball Unlocked, but there is no letting up as the Netball Super League standings start to take shape.

Joining Chloe, in Paul’s absence, is a friend of the show, Lucy Goodman, and her famed stat spreadsheet.

Discussion begins with a packed news agenda. From the retirement announcement of Beth Durant, to England squad announcement news, to Jamie Lee-Price’s reflection on the health of the game off the court - there’s plenty to chew on.

Turning to the action, Lucy and Chloe hit the Round 13 games one by one.

What now for Nottingham Forest after being dismantled once again by AO Manchester Thunder?

Are Loughborough Lightning hitting their straps again following a comprehensive victory over NIC Leeds Rhinos?

Does a third extra time victory for London Pulse over LexisNexis Dragons bode well for the defending champions, or should they be worried?

Can Birmingham Panthers get back-to-back wins after edging an injury-stricken London Mavericks?

A pause in play allows Chloe to ask Lucy for her Commonwealth Games squad with the Roses programme announcement imminent, but it isn’t long before they turn back to the NSL for the Round 14 preview.

With the top three placings and the wooden spoon on the line, Chloe and Lucy consider how the final regular season matches might unfold.

In a podcast first, we welcome back our first Big Interview guest, Adelaide Thunderbird Elmeré van der Berg, for a catch-up chat!

Since departing the Netball Super League, the South African star has joined the ranks of the Southern Australian franchise and has taken Suncorp Super Netball by storm.

From training against Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, to Norma Plummer’s choice emojis, the 24-year-old lifts the lid on life Down Under and the form she has managed to find in a club she loves. 

Enjoy. 

As Nottingham Forest lock in the final place in the top four, Chloe and Paul review the latest round of Netball Super League action.

Ahead of a big Roses 26-27 programme announcement, there's an international flavour to things as we pick a Roses squad for the Commonwealth Games - and hear from our two most recent Unlocked extended interview guests, Niamh McCall and Jayda Pechova.

In the NSL, Forest's win over Lighting throws the race for the top three places into chaos with just a couple of rounds remaining.

We debate a brilliant display from Forest and ask how damaging might defeat for Lightning be as Thunder roll on with a big win over Rhinos.

Pulse complete a double over a Mavericks team for whom injury bites again, and Dragons thump Panthers to keep on winning - but ultimately fall short in their top four chase.

We round things off by previewing Round 13, the penultimate round of the regular season, as Forest host Thunder, Lightning welcome Rhinos and Pulse prepare for the visit of Dragons in games that could have huge placing implications.

For the latest in our line of big interviews (recorded just before the start of Round 12!) Chloe is joined by Scottish Thistle and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Dragons’ Niamh McCall.

Coined the ‘signing of the season’ for the impact she has had on the Wales-based franchise, McCall lifts the lid on her netball journey to now.

From shooting basketball hoops to making her international debut at 16 years old, netball has played a pivotal role in McCall’s early years, but it has also challenged her as she’s risen through its ranks.

McCall opens up on the reality of uprooting her life in Scotland after the Strathclyde Sirens folded at the advent of Netball Super League 2.0, and waiting for her chance to shine with the super shot. 

She reflects on Scotland’s growing trajectory following the arrival of Kath Tetley and where their ambitions sit ahead of a home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The conversation also pivots to the people who are supporting McCall: from her mum and brother to her Welsh teammates, who have embraced despite their great netball rivalry.
Enjoy. 

We’re back with our Big Interview series, and we are delighted to be joined in an extended conversation by Jayda Pechová.

In the midst of a second stunning season at Nottingham Forest, the defender opens up on the journey that has shaped her into the athlete she is today.

From tough early beginnings, forged in the unforgiving world of artistic gymnastics, to a rapid rise through the London Pulse pathway, Pechová shares the highs, the lows and the ‘best foot forward’ mentality that has helped her through.

We ask her about the fall of Team Bath and her initial omission from the Netball World Youth Cup squad, as well as the special relationships she has with teammates Tash Pavelin and Rolene Streutker.

With evolving circumstances potentially demanding the 21-year-old Pechová to step up for her country, we discuss her future ambitions and where she hopes netball will take her one day.

Enjoy.

Chloe and Paul take us through a monumental weekend in the Netball Super League, with just one place in the playoffs now up for grabs.

We round up the news, ask whether the bonus point really makes a difference, and consider the implications of Helen Housby's ongoing back injury.

Manchester Thunder became the third team to secure a top four position. Chloe breaks down how they were able to get the better of London Pulse in defence and attack for a big win.

Forest tightened their grip on fourth place for now, with a win over Mavericks that leaves no margin for error for Tamsin Greenway and her squad.

It is now Dragons who are closest to Forest, a narrow win against an improving Leeds Rhinos enough to move the Welsh side up into fifth spot.

And Lightning returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over Panthers, but are injury worries mounting for the league leaders?

We turn our attention to Round 12, with a full-on preview of a busy derby weekend that starts with Thunder looking to keep their momentum going with a trip to Rhinos.

Forest face a huge final three games against the league's current top three, and it starts away to Loughborough Lightning - where even a losing bonus point might be enough.

Dragons need to keep winning, and they chase a third successive win when they travel to Coventry to face Panthers on Saturday.

And the round finishes up at the iconic OVO Arena at Wembley, where Pulse and Mavericks meet in a must-win London derby.

Paul and Chloe are joined by the returning Ella Smith - formerly Powell-Davies - to talk all things netball.

We get the lowdown on what Ella has been up to since she last joined the show, including news of a very expensive return to netball.

There's plenty to chew over in the week's news, with Emma Thacker the latest injury and Chloe dives in to what the numbers might tell us about the season so far.

It's a meaty review of Round 10, with Pulse and Lightning playing out another classic at the Copper Box with a win for Pulse closing the gap at the top of the table, but only after extra time.

Thunder cash in as well to hammer Panthers and go within three of the leaders - but we ask what is happening at Panthers?

On a thrilling weekend, we discuss whether Dragons win over Forest really does open the door in the top four race as Mavericks also edge a nail-biter, against Rhinos.

Finally we preview another massive weekend as the double header in Liverpool plays host to Thunder against Pulse and a top four chasing Dragons against Rhinos. Lightning take on Panthers to open the weekend and fourth placed Forest take on fifth placed Mavs in what could prove to be the most decisive game of the season.