Tuesday 22 August 2017 17:45, UK
Superleague champions Wasps have made their first signing for the 2018 season with England international Jade Clarke arriving from Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Bolstering the squad that claimed the title in their debut season, Tamsin Greenway has recruited the 33-year-old England Netball Hall of Famer who is equally at home at centre or wing defence and holds the record as England's most capped player of all-time.
After a short spell with Loughborough Lighting in 2016, Clarke headed to Australia where she played in the Australian Super Netball competition with Adelaide - her latest spell Down Under where she has also played in New Zealand.
Wasps is the latest destination for Clarke who has also represented teams such as Bay of Plenty Magic, Northern Mystics, Canterbury Tactix and NSW Swifts.
"I'm really excited to be joining a team with a great winning culture and to be back in England to get the chance to compete in the Superleague next season," Clarke said.
"Of course, getting the opportunity to be coached by Tamsin will be fantastic too - we played together for England and I know how well she reacts under pressure.
"There's lots of exciting young players here at Wasps, and experienced stars who I've played with over the years.
"I'm ready to work hard and help continue that winning feeling the team has from last year. It will be a huge challenge but I'm ready for the pressure and will be bringing my determination and experience to the court."
The 33-year-old, who was last week named in the Roses squad for this Autumn's Quad Series and three-match International Series against New Zealand, will be looking to add to her 135 caps.
Director of netball Greenway is pleased to add more quality to her line-up: "Jade has been consistently one of England's top players for over a decade now and we couldn't be more thrilled to have her on board for the upcoming season.
"I have played alongside Jade and watched her shine abroad for the past six years, she will no doubt bring experience and star quality to our team and help us to dominate games in the mid-court.
"Of course, we ended last season as champions but we are always striving to get better and I am confident that bringing Jade on board will help us to do that."
Tickets for the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship are available now from www.theo2.co.uk and start from just £20 with group tickets available priced from £60 for four adults. VIP Courtside tickets are available for £150 from www.fast5allstars.com.
Catch the action from the Fast5 All-Stars Championship, live Sky Sports, from 4.30pm on Saturday, September 23.
And follow the 2018 Vitality Superleague season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/Netball also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkyNetball
The regular season league home and away matches run from February to June, culminating in semi-finals and a Grand Final to determine the league champion.
