Wednesday 8 May 2019 08:13, UK
London Pulse have announced Sam Bird as their new head coach, replacing the departing Te Aroha Keenan.
Bird brings a wealth of experience with her to the Copper Box with the announcement coming just a few days after it was confirmed she was leaving Severn Stars following three years with the franchise since their inception in 2016.
Keenan departs for a return to New Zealand after a coaching stint in the UK that also featured a spell with Team Northumbria before leading Pulse in their first ever season.
Pulse have already started preparations for 2020 after their debut campaign ended with a 10th place finish in the Superleague.
The franchise were already playing catch-up last year having been the last team granted a license and Keenan stepped in to lead the squad but having been established they are already on the front foot for 2020.
Bird will also continue in her role as head coach for England A - a team made up of Vitality Roses players that are not picked in Tracey Neville's 12-player squad for July's Vitality Netball World Cup.
Watch both Vitality Netball Superleague semi-finals live on Sky Sports Mix and Action on Saturday, May 11 from 4.45pm. Also, Sky Sports will be showing every game of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in July.
