Vitality Roses head coach Jess Thirlby to stay in charge of England until at least 2027 World Cup; Thirlby guided side to first World Cup final this summer, where they took silver medal after defeat to Australia; England play South Africa in three-Test series next week, live on Sky Sports
Friday 1 December 2023 16:44, UK
England netball head coach Jess Thirlby has extended her contract with the Vitality Roses until 2027.
Thirlby, who was appointed in 2019, led England to their first World Cup final this summer where they claimed the silver medal following a 61-45 defeat to 12-time champions Australia.
The 44-year-old's new deal includes the 2027 World Cup in Australia, while her next assignment will come next week as she leads England in a three-Test series against South Africa, including her 50th fixture in charge.
England play the Proteas in Manchester on Tuesday before back-to-back matches in Nottingham on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10, with all games live on Sky Sports.
Thirlby told Sky Sports: "It's a huge privilege, in more ways than one. To be afforded the chance to continue the work we've started as a group is incredibly special.
"Its not lost on me as to the responsibility, duty and privilege it is to be the Roses head coach. I'm really proud and excited, and I can't wait to work with not only the existing talent but also those that are breaking through into this squad.
"I am 100 per cent committed and devoted to seeing this group go on to even bigger and better success. We have lofty ambitions."
Reflecting on the team's near miss at this year's World Cup, with their runners-up finish, Thirlby said: "The summer was a great achievement for us to springboard off.
"All it has done is galvanise us and make us more hungry to go that one step further in four years' time.
"We're on a decent upward trajectory. We're managing to compete better and more often, taking the scalps of some of our fiercest opponents over the last three or four years.
"But we know we've got big work to do if we're going to make more finals and, better yet, win more of them."
She added: "It would be wrong if I said that we don't have greater ambition for the group.
"That's based on their capability and what they show to me day by day. I get to see that but, more importantly, it's for the fans to be able to celebrate that as well. They can trust in the fact that we have big dreams, big ambitions and we will certainly be putting the work in."
Under Thirlby, England have won five Test series, including two against Jamaica and a historic first away series victory against New Zealand in 2021.
