A Year In Review: 2025 Through the Lens of the Netball Players Association

From a major rebrand to landmark partnerships, 2025 was a defining year for the Netball Players Association (NPA), strengthening its role as the independent voice for elite netballers and launching the Next Quarter Player Development Program. 

NEW LOOK, STRONGER VOICE

The year opened with a significant milestone as the NPA unveiled a new brand and long-term strategy, sharpening its focus on player welfare, development and representation across NSL, Roses, Futures and NXT Gen. Supported by a refreshed governance structure and closer collaboration with England Netball leadership, the organisation moved quickly to feed player insight into league decision making and maintain a visible presence at domestic competitions. 

“Our mission has always been about strengthening player experience both on and off the court — and 2025 proved just how much impact we can have when player voice drives the agenda,” said NPA Chief Executive Liz Bloor. 

Gabby Marshall - Former Rose and NPA Player Development Manager

TURNING INSIGHT INTO ACTION

Throughout the first half of 2025, the NPA deepened its role across the game, with involvement in NETBALLHer governance and closer working relationships with NSL clubs. This period saw the launch of dedicated safeguarding support, expanded concussion awareness work and the early design of a bespoke Player Development Programme. 

The programme moved into a detailed research phase in spring, guided by player interviews and benchmarking against other global players’ associations. At the same time, the NPA introduced a Pre-signing Contract Advice Booklet and built partnerships around injury surveillance and induction activity for Roses and Futures athletes. 

“We have given players advice on contracts since we began, but the launch of the Pre-signing Contract Advice Booklet has made the important information more accessible and user friendly for our members.” Genevieve Gordon-Thomson, Director of Commercial and Legal.  

THE NEXT QUARTER AND YOUR QUARTER

By autumn, the NPA’s long-term support offer had taken shape with the launch of The Next Quarter Programme, led by Director of Player Services, Sarah Gandon and Player Development Managers Gabby Marshall and Mairead McErlean. The initiative provides members with a structured support at key transition points, through workshops, one-to-one guidance thanks to funding from Jacobs Futura Foundation. 

“The Next Quarter is more than a development initiative — it’s about helping players prepare for life beyond the game, equipped with purpose, confidence and support,” said Sarah. 

Alongside this, the NPA formally introduced Your Quarter, a dedicated female health education and support programme rolled out across NSL clubs, while continuing to provide individual advice around contracts, injuries, image rights and business ventures. 

Kaitlin Lawrence on Women's Hour, BBC Radio 4 with Anita Rani and Gabby Logan.

KAITLIN LAWRENCE AND A LANDMARK HEALTH CHANGE

A pivotal moment in 2025 came through the experience of former elite player Kaitlin Lawrence, whose case became the catalyst for systemic change in cardiac care. After collapsing before a match and later being diagnosed with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, tests showed her heart rate had reached 294 beats per minute without warning. Forced to step away from elite netball, Lawrence chose to join the NPA and campaign for cardiac screening for NSL players. 

“Everyone talks about knee and ankle injuries, but we rarely talk about the heart — yet it is the most important muscle in the body. Why aren’t we testing it?” she said. 

Working with the NPA and wider stakeholders, her story underpinned a push that led to agreement for all NSL players to receive cardiac screening from the 2026 season – a landmark step for player safety and a new benchmark for welfare standards in netball. 

EXTENDING REACH AND PREPARING FOR 2026

In the closing months of the year, the NPA underlined its status as the trusted organisation for elite netballers’ voices, engaging directly with more than 100 members through club visits and one-to-one meetings. The organisation chaired the PPF Women’s Sport Committee, updated safeguarding policies, negotiated better playing terms for athletes, attended international events including the launch of HER Form and strengthened operational capacity with the appointment of NPA Administrator Holly Wood. 

By year end, several themes were clear: consistent, high touch player support; the design and launch of structured development and transition programmes; major advances in health, wellbeing and safeguarding; and a stronger governance and staffing base to meet growing demand. 

As the NPA looks ahead to 2026, the focus now turns to scaling The Next Quarter and Your Quarter and ensuring that netballers’ voices continue to shape decisions at every level of the sport.