Storm release Quintet

Surrey Storm can confirm that five players have today been released by mutual consent.

Hannah Reid, Amy Flanagan, Josie Huckle, Sophia Candappa and Francesca Williams will all leave ahead of the start of the 2017 pre-season period.

Captain Hannah Reid signed for Storm from Loughborough Lightning in 2009 and has been ever present in the starting 7 for the majority of her Surrey career, recording over 100 appearances for the club and assisting Storm to back-to-back Superleague titles earlier this year.

Fellow defender and two-times champion Amy Flanagan made her breakthrough into the Storm squad at the start of the 2013 season, making her mark as one of the Superleague’s brightest young talents.

Josie Huckle signed for Storm from Hertfordshire Mavericks two seasons ago, featuring heavily during the 2016 season as Coach Ratnapala’s go-to replacement in defence when the pressure was on against stronger opposition.

Sophia Candappa made her debut at the start of last season and shine through as one of the Superleague’s outstanding breakthrough players while featuring in the England squad at the 2016 Netball Europe Championships in May.

Francesca William’s made the step up to the senior squad from Storm’s NPL side last season, while enjoying success in Surrey’s youth set up by narrowly finishing second to Manchester Thunder.

Franchise Director Gavin Baker said: “We are disappointed to be losing so many talented and long standing players who have been committed to Storm and part of the club’s success since it started in 2009. But we are not here to stand in the way of players who want to explore new and exciting opportunities.

“Everyone here would like to thank Hannah, Josie, Amy, Fran and Sophia for their passion and dedication to Storm. We wish them all good luck with their future playing careers.”

Gavin added: “Fans will obviously be concerned about recent departures but we want to reassure everyone that plans are in place to bring in both young and experienced players in order for Surrey Storm to field a strong side and shoot for bagging a third title during the 2017 Netball Superleague season.

“We are hoping to shortly announce our new Director of Netball, whose experience will aid us in ensuring that a new era for Surrey Storm is a stable and successful one.”