Stembridge appointed England coach ahead of 2027 Netball World Cup

England has confirmed Anna Stembridge as head coach through to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney. The 45‑year‑old took over on an interim basis in March after Jess Thirlby resigned, and despite missing out on a Commonwealth Games medal in August, she has been given the full‑time role.

London Mavericks boss Tamsin Greenway and NSW Swifts assistant Jo Harten – both celebrated figures in English netball – will join Stembridge’s coaching staff. Stembridge, a former Wales international, previously guided the Roses to fourth place at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and secured a historic series win over Australia in 2013 during her first tenure as head coach. She later served as Thirlby’s assistant from 2024.

In August, Stembridge said she would “reassess” her future as head coach while an open recruitment process was underway. England Netball chair Baroness Sue Campbell described her as the standout candidate who “demonstrated a clear sense of what is needed to take the team forward”.

Speaking about her new mandate, Stembridge said: “Building on the experience that the squad and I had at the Commonwealth Games, I’m fiercely focused on putting us in a position where we can compete for a medal at the World Cup next summer.”

The 2027 World Cup will be staged in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September. England entered the previous tournament in 2023 as runners‑up, losing the final to Australia.