Homegrown players pivotal to Leeds Rhinos Netball’s Superleague franchise strategy
Dan Ryan says Leeds Rhinos’ signing of two homegrown players is exactly the type of move the embryonic Superleague franchise need to be making.
Twinned with their ambitions of making an impact in Superleague in their maiden campaign, Leeds Rhinos want to become a beacon for netball players across Yorkshire.
And with the signing of Superleague players Brie Grierson, 23, and Rosie Harris, 22 – who both grew up in Leeds – they have certainly shown their intent.
Ryan, the Rhinos’ high performance director and head coach, said: “Within our recruitment strategy, it was incredibly important to us as a franchise to secure some home grown talent in our foundation year and through signing Brie and Rosie we have two high calibre athletes who are so proud to be representing the region again.
“Both athletes have come through the Yorkshire Netball Pathway and have a some really solid Superleague playing experience, so it’s great to be able to provide them with the opportunity to return to the place where their netball careers started.”
Grierson joins from London Pulse having previously played with the defunct Yorkshire Jets.
Ryan added: “Brie is a really dynamic and crafty attacker who can play in the mid court and in the shooting circle. She adds so much flexibility and versatility to our attacking line up and at her best can really rip open a defensive unit.
“She’s a real student of the game, a natural playmaker with great instincts and vision. I know it means a lot to her to play for her home city and she’s so committed and determined to re-establish herself.”
Of former Leeds Grammar School pupil Harris, Ryan said: “Rosie is an athletic machine with untapped potential. I’m excited by what she could become. She boasts brilliant attributes and has some big weapons in her game.”