England Netball Star Jaz Brown Champions Historic Manchester Grand Final as Northern Inspiration
England netball star Jaz Brown has declared that hosting the Netball Super League Grand Final in Manchester for the inaugural time holds immense potential to motivate the next wave of northern netball talent. Originating from Doncaster, the 24-year-old athlete made a significant impact in last year's revamped NSL, with her standout performances for Birmingham Panthers securing her a place in the Superdrug Online Doctor All Star Seven and earning her first England caps against New Zealand in November 2025.
Breaking the London Dominance in Netball Finals
The Panthers concluded the previous season in sixth position, missing the top four by a margin of five points, while London Pulse prevented Loughborough Lightning from achieving a historic three-peat in the Grand Final at the O2 Arena. Notably, six of the last seven finals have been staged in London, but by relocating the league's premier event across the North-South divide to Manchester's Co-op Live venue, Brown expresses optimism that this shift will foster greater engagement among young girls and boys in the sport.
"Netball up north is a big community, so for them to experience the Grand Final will be really special," remarked Brown, who embarked on her netball journey in 2019 after initially focusing on tennis. "It'll be big for the north of the country, and it will be nice not to have to travel to London every year for the Grand Final."
Personal Journey and National Growth in Netball
Reflecting on her early career, Brown observed, "When I first started netball, you could see the two halves of the country, not even just in netball but in sport in general. To see netball growing all around the country is something special." She elaborated, "Growing up in my netball career, I had to travel up and down the country to get the best of the best. For netball to spread like that is something to be celebrated, and to know it's going in the right direction is exciting."
Brown was a member of the Vitality Roses squad that contested last year's series decider against the Silver Ferns at Manchester's AO Arena. Despite a 55-49 loss to the visitors, the goalkeeper, who boasts Jamaican and Australian heritage, takes pride in being a pioneering figure. "Getting that international exposure around the country is inspiring for young girls and boys watching," she continued. "As a northern girl, to play in the AO Arena was a very special moment for me."
Creating a Legacy and Future Aspirations
Emphasizing her role as an inspiration, Brown added, "To know I'm inspiring the future generation is something I'm really grateful for and something close to my heart. I want to create a legacy where young girls and boys who come from a similar background to me know they can start at any age or stage in life."
Recently graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in sports psychology, Brown has transitioned to playing for Leeds Rhinos this season, moving from the Panthers. She will have the opportunity to compete in Sheffield, as some of the franchise's matches are scheduled at the Canon Medical Arena. "I'm a Yorkshire girl, so to play in what I can call home in Sheffield will feel really special. I'll have more family and friends coming down as well," she shared. "It'll feel close to home and it's something I'm really looking forward to. It's a new team, but we're all quite new in that franchise, so we all have each other’s back in that space."
Brown, who participated in the Vitality Roses during the 2026 South Africa series, also aims to be selected for the England squad at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer. "I couldn’t have timed my graduation better, not having the distractions of university and the pressures associated with that," she noted. "It is a big year with the Commonwealth Games coming up and to solely focus on my netball and my fitness is great."
The Soft & Gentle NSL Grand Final is set to take place in Manchester, marking a significant milestone for northern netball development.
