28 Aug 2017

Stars get a Rose

10:22 am on 28 August 2017

The England netball captain Ama Agbeze has signed to play for the Northern Stars in next year's ANZ premiership.

Agbeze, an experienced defender, made her debut for England in 2001 and has gone on to play 79 Tests, including two Commonwealth Games and two Netball world cups.

She played this year for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australia domestic competition.

England international Ama Agbeze.

England international Ama Agbeze. Photo: Photosport

The Stars have also signed mid-courter Christina Oscar who joins the side having played for the Northern Comets Beko league.

The Northern Stars coach Kiri Wills says she is delighted to have finalised her roster.

"It was a great relief to finalise the team and with such a significant signing as Ama we are really excited," said Wills.

"She rounds out the defensive end and brings an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience as well as being an obvious leader, I can't wait to get her here."

"Chrissey has been rewarded for the enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic that she showed in 2017 and this is further testimony to the value of the development pathway that the Beko Netball League can uncover," she said.

"She was called into the Northern Stars team on a number of occasions as a replacement player and it was only a matter of time before she was promoted to the permanent roster."

Northern Stars squad for the 2018 ANZ Premiership is:

Ama Agbeze, Olivia Coughlan, Kayla Cullen, Holly Fowler, Paula Griffin, Ellen Halpenny, Fa'amu Ioane, Christina Oscar, Grace Rasmussen, Maia Wilson