By Gary Anderson

January 27 - Former England captain Olivia Murphy has taken up a coaching role with Superleague champions ©Team BathSuperleague champions Team Bath have announced that former England netball captain Olivia Murphy has joined its backroom staff as an assistant coach for the 2014 season.

Murphy joins an experienced coaching set-up led by Jess Thirlby and Denise Ellis who guided Team Bath to their fifth Superleague crown last year and will get straight down to business as the side begins the defence of its title with a home fixture against Team Northumbria at the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Friday (January 31).

The 36-year-old won 95 international caps for England and captained the side from 2000 to 2006.

During her time with the national side, she was part of squads that secured bronze medals at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as at the 1999 World Championships in Christchurch.

Murphy spent most of her playing career at Loughborough Lightning where she first dipped her toes into coaching and has also been involved in the coaching set-up with the England Under-21s, while she will also continue in her role as England Netball's East Midlands regional manager.

Olivia Murphy led England to a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne ©Getty Images Olivia Murphy led England to a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne ©Getty Images
































"Jess and I have been working together with England under-21s," said Murphy.

"Our relationship goes back a long way.

"We've played together and against each other in our career.

"I've got great respect for Jess and the way she goes about her business, and I think it will be a really exciting opportunity to work with her at Team Bath.

"I want to be the best performance coach I can be so that I can contribute to England's quest to become World Champions.

"The opportunity to work with Jess and Denise, two established performance coaches, and a group of podium athletes is an exciting one as it will help me develop my coaching skills, while at the same time making a positive contribution to performance netball for England and Team Bath."

"The squad is really exciting.

"It's got some youth and some experienced players, which is always a good mix.

"We've also got a really good coaching team.

"We'll give it our best shot.

"I think we've definitely got a good opportunity to win the Superleague this year, although there are some very competitive teams around, so it will be a tough ask."

Team Bath head coach Jess Thirlby (left) has welcomed the addition of Olivia Murphy to her coaching team ©Team BathTeam Bath head coach Jess Thirlby (left) has welcomed the addition of Olivia Murphy to her coaching team ©Team Bath
























Head coach Thirlby said she is delighted to have Murphy as part of Team Bath's coaching set-up, as the side aim for a sixth Superleague title in nine years.

"It's really exciting to have someone with Olivia's knowledge and experience as part of our coaching team.

"She will add an additional dimension to the coaching team and we're looking forward to getting the new season underway."

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