ABOUT THE CLUB
Wilmslow Lightning Netball Club was established in September 2007 by Rosie Harris and Martina Perera, and was officially opened in April 2008 by former England Roses Head Coach, Tracey Neville.
In October 2009, we sadly lost Martina to cancer. Her passion for netball, her commitment to others and the impact she had on those around her remain a hugely important part of our Club. Her legacy lives on through the Martina Perera Trophy, awarded each year to a player who demonstrates not only a passion for netball, but also a genuine desire to help others be the best they can be. This is someone who is supportive, thoughtful, hardworking and always willing to help.
From our beginnings in 2007, Wilmslow Lightning has grown into a thriving and ambitious performance
focused netball club, with over 270 members, 22 junior teams from U6 to U17, three senior teams and a North West Regional senior squad.
We are committed to developing athletes with passion, purpose and potential, creating an environment where players are challenged to improve, encouraged to compete and supported to reach their individual goals.
PERFORMANCE LED. DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED. ATHLETE CENTRED.
At the heart of our programme is an exceptional senior leadership coaching team, bringing together a wealth of experience from the highest levels of the game.
Our coaching programme is led by Paige Kindred, former Super League defender, and Laura Brown, Wilmslow Lightning Regional player and Vice Captain. Their combined experience across elite, university, regional and grassroots netball provides our athletes and coaches with an outstanding level of knowledge and expertise.
Paige is Head Coach at Manchester Metropolitan University, Head Coach of Stunts Mixed Netball Club and a coach within the Manchester Thunder pathway, where she leads the U11 Yellow pathway.
Laura is Lead Coach for Manchester Thunder U11 Black and works alongside Paige to form part of the coaching team at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is also one of the lead performance coaches for ENG Sport, where opportunity is earned not given!
This breadth of experience directly influences the coaching and development environment at Wilmslow Lightning. Our athletes benefit from coaches who understand what it takes to progress through the performance pathway, while our younger players are nurtured within an environment that prioritises long term development rather than short term results.
We believe performance and nurturing development should go hand in hand. Every athlete develops differently, and our role is to provide the right level of challenge, support and opportunity at every stage. We want players to become technically strong, tactically intelligent and physically capable, while also developing confidence, resilience, independence and a genuine understanding of the game.
Our focus is on developing athletes rather than simply selecting them. We encourage players to make decisions, learn from mistakes, embrace challenge and take ownership of their development.
Our strong track record of player progression reflects this approach, with Wilmslow Lightning athletes regularly selected for Cheshire County, Manchester Thunder, Leeds Rhinos, Nottingham Forrest and Loughborough Lightning pathways.
Our competitive programme spans Cheshire, Greater Manchester and national competitions, providing opportunities to compete across county, regional, national performance and development leagues, alongside a strong tournament programme. We believe exposure to different levels and styles of competition is fundamental to developing adaptable, confident and intelligent players.
While performance is central to our programme, people always come first. We want every athlete to feel valued, supported and motivated to improve, regardless of where their individual journey may ultimately take them.
Whether an athlete is taking their first steps in netball or aspiring to progress into elite performance pathways, our ambition is the same: to provide exceptional coaching, meaningful opportunities and a supportive environment in which every player can fulfil their potential.
Passion. Purpose. Potential.
That is Wilmslow Lightning.
In October 2009, we sadly lost Martina to cancer. Her passion for netball, her commitment to others and the impact she had on those around her remain a hugely important part of our Club. Her legacy lives on through the Martina Perera Trophy, awarded each year to a player who demonstrates not only a passion for netball, but also a genuine desire to help others be the best they can be. This is someone who is supportive, thoughtful, hardworking and always willing to help.
From our beginnings in 2007, Wilmslow Lightning has grown into a thriving and ambitious performance
focused netball club, with over 270 members, 22 junior teams from U6 to U17, three senior teams and a North West Regional senior squad.
We are committed to developing athletes with passion, purpose and potential, creating an environment where players are challenged to improve, encouraged to compete and supported to reach their individual goals.
PERFORMANCE LED. DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED. ATHLETE CENTRED.
At the heart of our programme is an exceptional senior leadership coaching team, bringing together a wealth of experience from the highest levels of the game.
Our coaching programme is led by Paige Kindred, former Super League defender, and Laura Brown, Wilmslow Lightning Regional player and Vice Captain. Their combined experience across elite, university, regional and grassroots netball provides our athletes and coaches with an outstanding level of knowledge and expertise.
Paige is Head Coach at Manchester Metropolitan University, Head Coach of Stunts Mixed Netball Club and a coach within the Manchester Thunder pathway, where she leads the U11 Yellow pathway.
Laura is Lead Coach for Manchester Thunder U11 Black and works alongside Paige to form part of the coaching team at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is also one of the lead performance coaches for ENG Sport, where opportunity is earned not given!
This breadth of experience directly influences the coaching and development environment at Wilmslow Lightning. Our athletes benefit from coaches who understand what it takes to progress through the performance pathway, while our younger players are nurtured within an environment that prioritises long term development rather than short term results.
We believe performance and nurturing development should go hand in hand. Every athlete develops differently, and our role is to provide the right level of challenge, support and opportunity at every stage. We want players to become technically strong, tactically intelligent and physically capable, while also developing confidence, resilience, independence and a genuine understanding of the game.
Our focus is on developing athletes rather than simply selecting them. We encourage players to make decisions, learn from mistakes, embrace challenge and take ownership of their development.
Our strong track record of player progression reflects this approach, with Wilmslow Lightning athletes regularly selected for Cheshire County, Manchester Thunder, Leeds Rhinos, Nottingham Forrest and Loughborough Lightning pathways.
Our competitive programme spans Cheshire, Greater Manchester and national competitions, providing opportunities to compete across county, regional, national performance and development leagues, alongside a strong tournament programme. We believe exposure to different levels and styles of competition is fundamental to developing adaptable, confident and intelligent players.
While performance is central to our programme, people always come first. We want every athlete to feel valued, supported and motivated to improve, regardless of where their individual journey may ultimately take them.
Whether an athlete is taking their first steps in netball or aspiring to progress into elite performance pathways, our ambition is the same: to provide exceptional coaching, meaningful opportunities and a supportive environment in which every player can fulfil their potential.
Passion. Purpose. Potential.
That is Wilmslow Lightning.
