After eight seasons in the Netball Super League — capped by a Grand Final victory with Loughborough Lightning in 2023 — Fran Williams left England at 25 to join West Coast Fever in Australia. Playing in Suncorp Super Netball, widely regarded as the world’s strongest domestic league, has given Williams fresh experience and sharpened her game; Fever have finished third and second in the two seasons since she arrived.
Despite close bonds with her England team-mates, Williams says rejoining national camps can be nerve‑tinged and brings a touch of FOMO. She stresses those friendships remain strong no matter where she plays and that coming back into the Roses environment is always comforting. Having spent so much time together through travel, tough training days and big matches, she says those connections give her confidence when she returns from Australia.
Williams admits she sometimes feels she’s missing out — returning to camp later after finishing a Grand Final in the SSN — but that reintegrating is usually quick and natural. Representing England remains one of her greatest privileges and, she says, choosing to come back to wear the Roses bib is never a difficult decision.
What she has learned down under
Australia sit at the top of the world rankings, ahead of New Zealand by nine rating points, with Jamaica and England close behind. The Diamonds’ depth and professional set-up are a benchmark for elite standards, and Williams says the full-time professional environment in the SSN has been transformative.
She highlights the difference in training intensity, support structures and standards across every element of preparation — on-court sessions, gym work, recovery and video analysis. Those processes are what she tries to champion when she returns to the Roses: pushing for world-class standards in every session and encouraging the squad to prepare like a team capable of winning gold.
Williams believes the global playing field is strong and that any team can beat another on a given day. For England the task is to deliver those world‑class performances consistently. She emphasises instilling belief in the squad and dispelling the notion that other nations are at an unattainable level.
Image and video highlights
– Image: Williams captained England during the 2023 Netball World Cup, where the Roses took silver behind Australia.
– Video clip: With 30 seconds remaining in the 2023 match against South Africa, Williams made a huge interception that set up Eleanor Cardwell’s buzzer‑beater late in the third quarter.
– Video clip: Williams was named Player of the Match in her final game for Loughborough Lightning, a win over London Pulse in the 2023 NSL Grand Final.
Upcoming fixtures
Vitality Red Roses v New Zealand — three‑match series, live on Sky Sports
– Saturday 15 November: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs New Zealand, 17:00
– Sunday 16 November: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs New Zealand, 15:00
– Wednesday 19 November: AO Arena, Manchester — England vs New Zealand, 19:00
Vitality Netball Horizon Series (Jamaica) and return fixtures
– Saturday 6 December: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica vs England, time TBC
– Sunday 7 December: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaica vs England, time TBC
– Saturday 13 December: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs Jamaica, 14:15
– Sunday 14 December: Copper Box Arena, London — England vs Jamaica, 14:00
Times are subject to slight change due to broadcast requirements.