Team Bath will kick-start this season’s NXT Gen League against Nottingham Forest on Friday after accepting an invitation to participate in the league.
The sell-out fixture at the University of Bath will be the club’s first official match since they were omitted from the revamped Netball Super League (NSL) in May.
Team Bath were one of four sides- alongside Strathclyde Sirens, Surrey Storm and Severn Stars- to miss out on being included in the NSL as 10 teams were reduced to just eight as part of plans to turn the league professional.
Nottingham Forest, who are owned by the Premier League football team, and Birmingham Panthers were added in their place.
The NXT Gen League, which is referred to as an ‘U23 feeder League’ by the NSL, will feature all eight professional sides and Team Bath, who were extended an invitation to participate.
It will see all nine sides play each other home and away and will run until the weekend of 14-15 June, with fixtures aligned to NSL matches where possible.
While eligibility for the NXT Gen League is for athletes under 23, regulations state squads can include up to four players over the age of 23 to “support and enhance” the quality of the competition.
The NXT Gen League will exist as a standalone competition but will be closely connected with the NSL.
