Leeds Rhinos Netball have added local centre court player Emily Hollingworth, 23, to their squad ahead of the 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague season.
The Huddersfield born player, who plays centre, wing defence and goal defence, joins from Loughborough Lightning’s 2019 squad and is returning to her home county where she began her playing career with Yorkshire Jets.
She regularly featured for the Jets NPL side and during this time earned a call up for the England age group squads. She moved to Team Northumbria in 2015 spending three Superleague seasons there while also representing England at U21 level.
Commenting on joining the Rhinos Hollingworth said: “It’s really exciting to be joining a new Superleague franchise in Yorkshire. I think we have been missing Superleague netball in the county for a while now. Growing up we used to watch the Yorkshire Jets and really look up to them so it’s exciting that it’s back and I will be part of it.
“One of the big influences of joining the Rhinos was the squad that had been put together. There is a mixture of young talent along with some experienced players that we have got coming in and that’s going to be great. I’m also looking forward to playing under Dan Ryan, he’s a great coach and I am really enjoying the sessions and can’t wait to see what we can achieve as a squad.”
High Performance Director and Superleague Head Coach for Leeds Rhinos Netball, Dan Ryan said: “Emily was one of England’s most promising young players a few years back before a serious knee injury haltered her progress and forced her to step away from the game.”
“We are so pleased to see her back at the elite level and it’s even better to have another local high performance athlete join our inaugural squad.”
“She’s been really impressive in our training environment so far and she absolutely deserves the opportunity to reignite her career. From what I’ve seen so far, she’s going to get back to her best very quickly.”
Emily is the twelfth signing confirmed by Leeds Rhinos Netball, joining Jade Clarke, Vicki Oyesola, Brie Grierson, Rosie Harris, Britt Coleman, Rhea Dixon, Sienna Rushton, Amelia Hall, Fi Toner, Paige Kindred and Michelle Magee.
