London Pulse Clinch Historic First Netball Super League Title with 53-45 Grand Final Win
London Pulse have made history by winning their first-ever Netball Super League title, defeating Loughborough Lightning 53-45 in a thrilling Grand Final at the O2 Arena. The victory not only denied Lightning a historic three-peat but also completed a stunning treble for Pulse, who topped the regular season table and secured the inaugural Netball Super Cup in March.
The atmosphere inside the O2 Arena was electric, with 10,000 fans celebrating wildly as Pulse players embraced and collapsed to the floor after the final whistle. Central to the team’s triumph was defender and player of the match Funmi Fadoju, whose commanding performance included eight deflections, three intercepts, and eight gains. Fadoju’s defensive work laid the foundation for Pulse to apply relentless pressure on Lightning, forcing errors and restricting them to their lowest score of the season.
Pulse established control early, nudging ahead within the first five minutes and never relinquishing the lead. Despite Lightning’s efforts to mount a comeback, Pulse’s disciplined play and tactical flexibility kept them in command throughout the match. The introduction of 16-year-old Gracie Smith at half-time, fresh from her GCSE exams, made her the youngest player to feature in a Grand Final, adding another remarkable milestone to the occasion.
Reflecting on the victory, Fadoju said: “It feels so amazing. I am so proud of the girls. We went out there and did what we had to do. We knew exactly what our set-ups were, we knew we had to work together, and that’s what we did. I knew we could do it, and we did.”
Coach Sam Bird praised the team’s resilience and strategic execution: “I’m so happy for the club, the girls, our sponsors, our fans. It is such a great day. It was such a hard game. It was like a game of chess. The strategy involved was really tough and I’m just really proud we got across the line.”
Lightning head coach Vic Burgess acknowledged Pulse’s performance: “I’m pretty devastated. Credit to Pulse, they came out and did a great job. There was always going to be a massive battle, and they came out on top. That’s the nature of sport.”
In recent years, British netball has been dominated by Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning, who shared the NSL title over the past five seasons. However, Pulse’s rise signals a changing of the guard. The team also topped the regular-season standings in 2023 but fell short in the Grand Final against Lightning. This year, Pulse turned the tables, securing the title less than a decade after the club was formed.
CEO and director of netball Sam Bird, who joined the club in May 2019 following her tenure with Severn Stars, celebrated the long-awaited achievement. On the court, the players’ dedication and talent ensured they became first-time winners in British netball’s most prestigious competition.
Other season highlights include Elmere van der Berg (Manchester Thunder) scoring the most goals with 496, Bethan Dyke (Cardiff Dragons) topping feeds with 465, Rolene Streutker (Nottingham Forest) achieving 157 super shots, and Fadoju leading in deflections with 128.
London Pulse’s historic victory marks a landmark moment in the club’s journey and sets the stage for continued success in the coming seasons.
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