Ritchie, Francis and Allison receive end of season awards
Mia Ritchie, Stacey Francis and Rosie Allison collected the awards at the Team Bath Netball Superleague end of season dinner last night (Thursday).
Effervescent midcourter Ritchie collected a pair of awards. Her team-mates voted her the winner of the Players’ Player of the Year award and she also collected the Coaches’ Player of the Year title.
“I was surprised and delighted to win both awards,” said the Team Bath and England player. “To receive awards from my fellow players and our coaches was a real honour.”
Defender Stacey Francis was also delighted to receive the Fans’ Player of the Season award. She topped an online poll of fans on www.teambath.com. In an exciting finish to the voting that saw more than 5000 votes cast, with votes from around the UK as well as Australia, Barbados, Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand, Francis edged out Pamela Cookey by fewer than 100 votes.
And shooter Rosie Allison received the Most Improved Player plaudit after a consistent season in front of goal.
Team Bath finished third in the regular season table in the 2014 ZEO Superleague but went down 42-34 to Hertfordshire Mavericks in the third place play-off on Saturday.
Jess Thirlby, Team Bath head coach, thanked the players, coaching staff and support teams for the contributions they made this season, and also praised Team Bath’s fans for their terrific backing.
She added: “We didn’t have the season we wanted, but we worked well together as a team on and off the court. There’s an unrelenting commitment on our behalf to get back where we belong and I’m already massively excited about next season.”
Netball fans – look out for our next Team Bath TV movie featuring double award winner Mia Ritchie. It’ll be live soon. Check social media for further details. You can already watch our movie about shooting star Rosie Allison.
For further information members of the media can contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518 or press@matchtight.co.uk
