Anna Stembridge appointed England head coach through 2027 Netball World Cup

England have appointed Anna Stembridge as head coach through to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, England Netball announced on 20 October 2026. Stembridge, who became interim head coach in March after Jess Thirlby stepped down, will remain in charge despite England failing to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in August.

The 45-year-old first led England from 2011 to 2015 and returns to the top job after serving as an assistant coach to Thirlby from 2024. During her earlier spell as head coach she guided the Roses to fourth place at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and oversaw England's first series win over Australia in 2013. She took the interim role in March and faced an open recruitment process following the Commonwealth Games.

In August Stembridge said she would "reassess" whether she could continue as head coach, with an open recruitment process taking place. The decision to appoint her permanently follows that period of review and selection.

London Mavericks head coach Tamsin Greenway and NSW Swifts assistant Jo Harten, both described as England netball legends, will join Stembridge's coaching team. Their appointments form part of the backroom structure announced alongside Stembridge's contract.

England Netball chair Baroness Sue Campbell said Stembridge was the outstanding candidate and demonstrated "a clear sense of what is needed to take the team forward". Stembridge said: "Building on the experience that the squad and I had at the Commonwealth Games, I'm fiercely focused on putting us in a position where we can compete for a medal at the World Cup next summer."

England were beaten finalists at the last Netball World Cup in 2023, when Australia denied them in the final.

Stembridge's appointment runs through the tournament in Sydney, which takes place from 25 August to 5 September 2027, and she will lead England into that competition.