Rhea Dixon: I took the jump of faith by joining Nottingham Forest Netball in NSL – I am all about new adventures | Netball News
Rhea Dixon said Sky Sports She took the “jump of faith” by joining the new NSL franchise Nottingham Forest Netball, adding that “everything about new adventures”.
Reboot Netball Super League (NSL) – to live on Sky Sports from March 14 – It was canceled with 10 to eight teams and 50 percent of the games are played in the main arenas to attract greater crowds and improve the experience of the match day.
The goal -finish Dixon was part of an extremely successful Lightning Side Loughborough in the last two seasons, which has scored 16 appearances in both campaigns in 2024 and 13 on their way to the title victory.
This surprised, therefore, when the 27 -year -old Jamaica International – named MVP in the Grand Final Netball Super League 2024 – announced as part of the first NSL forest team for their debut season.
Dixon says that what was doing something new and unexpected is what attracted her to the move: “Yes, I would say so [it’s a leap of faith]. I’m all getting better and learning and new adventures.
“I think the challenge that came with joining Forest as a new club was really exciting for me. The opportunity to work with Chelsea [Pitman, head coach]I knew it would challenge me in ways that I probably hadn’t been challenged before, and a group of girls we have is just amazing.
“It was an opportunity that would continue to develop me and keep me the way I try to go.
“I still try to improve, try to learn and gain as much knowledge as possible. At the same time I can call myself – as old as it sounds to me – experiencing, after being on the winning team for the last two years, and now he has obviously went to the international scene.
“I feel that it brings another level of experience. So, I’m experienced, but I’m still learning and trying to do everything I can to help lead this team forward.”
“Having support for the Premier League football club is amazing ‘
In May 2024, the Nottingham Forest Football Club published a statement confirming the formation of Nottingham Forest Netball.
As part of the public announcement, they said: “The club will now work to develop a unique brand and identity for Nottingham Netball under Nottingham Forest Banner.
“Announcement comes after the club’s pioneer initiative New vision for sports which was launched earlier this year, a project that undertakes to ensure that every adult and every child in Nottinghamshire provides time and recreational space for exercise for their health and well -being. “
Having support from the Premier League Football Club is something Dixon admired in conversation with Sky Sports.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I wasn’t in the club before, where I feel like we are just best possible.
“I don’t know if it is because of the new league and professionalization and the way things go, but I think Forest was just nothing but supporting us and all the staff on the football side jumped on the ship and really supported us in every possible way.
“We are really grateful for the support so far and hope that we can return to court.
“In the attack, we can expect a dynamic, creative, exciting movement. In defense, winners of Gritty Ball. And I think it is overall, just like a team, united and connected – starting from the foundation.
“You can’t just create an identity. I think you have to find out what is that 10 of you plus staff and everything on board.
“We may still work on exactly what our identity would look like, not trying to force anything, but you will surely see it in court.”
Pitman will bring standards that many coaches could not – invaluable
In July 2024, a former England International Pitman, who earned 52 caps for England and was part of a team to win gold Commonwealth in 2018, was appointed Chief Forest coach.
Pitman played last year for Giants Netball in Sydney, and her presence was also a key factor in Dixon, which moved to Nottingham.
“It’s great that she can come because she obviously has so recent experience and knows what’s best for us,” Dixon said.
“She knows what will make us mark things, but also as a player who has been in professional settings for so long, she really brings that level of professionalism, expectations and standards, I don’t think many other coaches in the league could not bring.
“In this way, she pushes us from the field, but also on the field. She is so experienced and has so much knowledge of the game.
“It is invaluable to have such a coach, where I am in my career, is invaluable.”
Look at the beginning of the remodeled Netball Super League campaign with a brand new super live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports’ YouTube channel from 11.30am on Saturday 8th. You don’t have a sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream without a contract now.
