From Team Bath Netball press office:
Wales international Bethan Dyke (pictured centre) says she is proud to be named as Team Bath Netball captain for the 2024 Super League campaign.
The 29-year-old, a veteran of five major international tournaments and going into her second season in the Blue & Gold, is joined in a new-look leadership group by fellow mid-courter Kirsty Harris and overseas defender Lisa Putt.
“It is such an honour to be named as captain,” said Dyke, who has also this year been selected as co-captain of the Welsh Feathers. “To be entrusted with this role by both the Team Bath management and my team-mates is something truly special.
“I intend to lead by example and demonstrate the values that we have set out as a group. It’s my job as captain to help bring out everyone’s strengths and I also want to ensure that all the players have a voice.
“I’m really happy to be working alongside Kirsty and Lisa. Kirsty has been with Team Bath for a number of years, playing for every age group from U15 to Super League, and understands the club and what wearing those famous colours means. Lisa is a new arrival but has integrated into the squad seamlessly and brings a great deal of experience.
“I think we will work effectively as a group but we are really lucky to have a lot of other players in the squad with strong leadership experience whose knowledge we will be able to call on.”
Swindon-born Harris, who first joined Team Bath as an Academy prospect, added: “I am very excited and honoured to be taking on this new role. Having progressed through the Bath pathway I have had opportunities to play under some inspirational captains and I am looking forward to developing a leadership role.”
Fellow co-vice-captain Putt, who has ANZ Premiership experience in her native New Zealand, said: “It’s an honour to have been chosen for the leadership group, especially alongside two very capable and experienced players in Bethan and Kirsty.
“My personal goal is to bring the energy and set the standards on court so that we can be at our best as often as possible. I’m looking forward to the challenges of the season and collaborating as leaders to work through them.”
Head Coach Asha Francis added: “I am really excited about the leadership group we have this year. They each bring great individual qualities to create a powerful collective. They have embraced our vision and our values, and are helping to support and guide the group through this next phase of our development.”
Team Bath are entering the final stages of their preparation for the 2024 campaign, which begins against Strathclyde Sirens on Saturday 17th February as part of the Super League Season Opener event in Nottingham.
“Pre-season has been awesome, I feel we have really built our culture on and off the court,” said Dyke. “A lot of players have stayed on from last year to provide that continuity and we have been bolstered by a number of exciting young players.
“We have been working really hard to build those all-important connections and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve this season.”
Tickets are selling well for Team Bath’s nine home games, starting on Friday 1st March against local rivals Severn Stars (7.30pm). View the full fixture list and buy online at netball.teambath.com/tickets.