Last year’s rising star winner Sienna Rushton has agreed a new deal with the Rhinos that will see the young goal shooter play for the Rhinos in the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague.
The Londoner made 14 appearances for the Rhinos last season and scored 266 goals and her form earned her selection for the Roses Futures programme. She was also voted the team’s best young player and started both games in the VNSL Finals Weekend.
Before joining the Rhinos, Rushton played for Wasps where she starred for their NPL sides before earning a place in their 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague squad.
The 19 year-old has gained international honours at various England age groups. She won gold at Netball Europe at U17 level and was then elevated into the U19 side that same year for a tour to New Zealand. In 2019 she played for England at Netball Europe in Northern Ireland where she took home another gold.
Speaking about extending her stay with the Rhinos, Rushton said: “It feels so good to be staying with the Rhinos. What we had last year was so special so to be able to build on that and have similar opportunities feels awesome and I am just so excited for the new season.
“Last year I had never really played Super League before so the season surpassed by expectations in every way possible. I never imagined myself playing in a Finals Weekend in my first ever Superleague season. I was really fortunate to get the opportunities that I did to get out on court and be fully emersed with the girls was incredible. I think it’s such an amazing league that we’ve got established that so many girls have the chance to be professional netball players.
“Yorkshire has been deprived of a netball franchise for so long and then last season they finally had it back but then we were distanced from our fans for most of the season. Next year it will be back in full swing and I can’t wait to meet and interact with the fans and hear them cheering us on.”
Dan Busfield, Leeds Rhinos Netball’s Franchise Director, said: “Sienna is one of the most exciting young players in English Netball and we are delighted that she will be part of our squad again next season.
“After watching her step up for our team and demonstrate her depth in the goal shooting position and go on to play in a Finals Weekend in her debut season it’s hard to believe she is just 19. She has an incredible career ahead of her and we are delighted she has chosen to continue her netball with the Rhinos.”
Maggie Birkinshaw, assistant coach for Rhinos Netball added: “Although she was the youngest player in the squad last season, Sienna showed a maturity beyond her years, which was demonstrated when she was launched straight into the spot light following the injury to Donnell Wallam, where she quickly proved she could compete at the top level and rightly went on to earn a place in the Roses Futures programme.
“The opportunities she had during the 2021 season have allowed her to develop rapidly and the valuable experiences she gained will only bolster her obvious abilities in 2022.”
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Photo: Morgan Harlow and VNSL
