Quad Series 2023: England head coach Jess Thirlby calls for more ‘maturity’ ahead of Netball World Cup | Netball News

England sealed third place in the 2023 Quad Series by defeating hosts South Africa in the third-place play-off on Wednesday; Roses suffered defeats for Australia and New Zealand to miss out on a place in the final

England head coach Jess Thirlby praised her team for showing “grit” to seal third place in the Quad Series but has admitted more “maturity” is needed ahead of this summer’s Netball World Cup.

The Roses came through a tightly contested third place play-off against hosts South Africa to claim their first win in four matches at the tournament.

England have drawn with South Africa in the opening phase of the tournament, with either side losing to champions Australia and runners-up New Zealand.

The competition is the last chance for England – and their rivals – to prepare for the World Cup, which starts on July 28 in Cape Town.

“It was scrappy, it wasn’t the prettiest win,” Thirlby told Sky Sports. “But I think given the journey through the Quad Series that we’ve had, I think it’s a good way to finish and show grit, especially, which I think this team is known for.”

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Watch highlights from the third place playoff between England and South Africa in the Netball Quad Series.

“It’s been a good trip. We just have to find the distance to compete with our top ranks.

“We respect the likes of New Zealand and Australia, but we have found a way to fight them, which is new territory for us, so we need to grow in maturity in how we finish the game and punish them more.”

The Quad Series quickly follows England’s three-match home contest with Jamaica, which Thirlby’s side won an impressive 2-1.

England ranked third in the word, ahead of Jamaica. Australia topped the rankings from New Zealand, while South Africa was fifth.

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Thirlby described the ‘bittersweet’ defeat against New Zealand but said a number of players had been selected to play in the netball World Cup this summer.

“In the weeks after this, there will be a lot of information to process, and it’s important to acknowledge that,” Thirlby said.

“These games are here for a purpose. We put ourselves out in two back-to-back series, it’s a big question from the group but exactly what we needed ahead of the heat.”

The Quad Series brings to an end a congested period for England, which saw them miss a medal at the Commonwealth Games in the summer, and then beat Uganda at home before losing 3-0 when they toured Australia in October and November.

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Highlights of the Netball Quad Series match between England and New Zealand.

“I don’t think I can handle all the noise and criticism, but I will defend this group as far as it goes,” Thirlby said.

“Cohesion, togetherness and loyalty to each other is unquestionable. They look at winning and losing in the same way, which is what a championship-winning team that is on track to try to learn to win more consistently.

“So this team for me, they’re the biggest group I’ve ever worked with and I’m really excited to see the team’s resilience grow over the course of January.”

‘Ignore Fadoju’ | ‘Bundle him with cotton’

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of England’s performance during the Quad Series has been the continued emergence of Funmi Fadoju, who had been a key player prior to the World Cup.

After making his senior international debut against Uganda in October, the 20-year-old defender looks set to become one of the sport’s biggest stars.

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Funmi Fadoju showed his quick reaction skills with two impressive interceptions against South Africa in the netball Quad Series.

His brilliance was on display against South Africa as a series of turnovers helped England win.

“No one ignores Funmi Fadoju,” Thirlby said. “If anyone can give me a little more credit, I think it’s Funmi today.

“He really picked his time, with that kind of maturity, to get that intuition when in the game we needed it the most.

“I just think his contribution is great, but the people around him really allow him to thrive.”

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Fadoju reflected on England’s victory over South Africa in the Quad Series third-place playoff and praised team-mate Jade Clarke on her 200th cap for England.

Former England player Pamela Cookey agrees with Thirlby’s assessment that the Roses have found the right set-up to allow Fadoju to flourish.

“This is the defensive team we know and love,” Cookey said on Sky Sports.

“The support Fadoju gets from Geva (Mentor) at the back allows him to play up front – he has Jade (Clarke) in the middle and Layla (Guscoth) in wing defence.

“The combination is safe, it’s tried, it’s been tested and we’ve seen him get the ball a lot, so if you put it in there he can fly.”

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How can England prepare for the World Cup? Tamsin Greenway and Pamela Cookey discuss before England and South Africa in the semi-final in the Quad series.

Former Roses player Tamsin Greenaway was also impressed by Fadoju’s performance, but expressed concern about England’s lack of attack.

“Defensively, he’s really good,” Fadoju said. “I can’t blame everything on the court, they did a great job.

“But the attack was static at times, the highest quarter was a 13-goal quarter. Even though Funmi got seven balls in the last quarter, we still only put 13 on the board.

“We have to see and adjust. I think playing the strongest line-up only helps you to go well.

“Defensively brilliant, and just wrap Funmi in cotton wool (until the World Cup).”