SEVERN Stars chief Melissa Bessell has hailed the impact of mid-courter Ella Powell-Davies after the 20-year-old confirmed she would return to the club for a third season.
The head coach highlighted the explosiveness of Powell-Davies and said the youngster would add another tactical dynamic to the team.
“She has outstanding defence abilities which can cause many headaches for attacking players. Definitely a player to watch out for,” she said.
After a series of impressive performances that earned her the most improved player accolade in the Severn Stars end-of-season awards, Powell-Davies is hoping for further success in the 2019/20 campaign
“I am so excited to be returning to Stars,” she said.
“I loved last season and can’t wait to get going again. I feel I progressed so much as a player last year and I wanted to carry this on. I am also from Gloucestershire so having a franchise on my doorstep and representing them was an easy decision for me.”
Ella joins a Stars line-up which so far includes New Zealand star Liana Leota, Wales internationals Nia Jones, Bethan Dyke and Georgia Rowe, Paige Reed and Lucy Harris.
“I am so thrilled about our squad this year,” she added. “I absolutely have the goal of us trying to get into that top four. I am very much looking forward to working with Melissa; I think she will be a great addition to Stars.”
Powell-Davies captained the Under-21 side in her first two seasons at Severn Stars, which is a joint franchise between the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire, but last year made her breakthrough into the senior Superleague side.
“Last season was definitely my favourite season to date,” she said.
“I feel I progressed and developed so much as a player which resulted in me winning the most improved player award at the end of the season. As a team we are so hard working and always want to improve. Our successes last year showed what a threat we can be in the league and I am excited for us to build on that this season.”