Teenager Gracie Smith Included in England's Roses Programme

Teenager Gracie Smith has been included in England's Roses programme for 2026-27 after her breakout performances in the Netball Super League. The 17-year old, who is yet to play for the senior England side, has become a rising star of the NSL since making her debut and winning the title as a 16-year-old in 2025. She has played a further 12 matches for London Pulse this season. She has been rewarded with a first inclusion on the Roses programme, which provides training and support to players, and is essentially the group of players which will form the basis of England squads throughout the year. The list of 21 names also includes defenders Alice Harvey and Jayda Pechova, who return after a year in the Future Roses programme, plus Ella Clark for the first time since 2023 after impressing with Loughborough Lightning. Four of the names included - Imogen Allison, Sasha Glasgow, Helen Housby and Fran Williams - play in Australia, with the rest based in the UK. Head coach Anna Stembridge said: "I'm delighted to share the group of athletes who will make up the full-time Roses programme for the year ahead. "I firmly believe that among this group we have the talent, commitment and the technical and tactical diversity that will enable us to perform at the highest level in the Commonwealth Games this summer, whilst also building towards the Netball World Cup just a year later in 2027." England Netball has also revamped its Future Roses programme in the hope of better preparing players for the senior side. It will now be known as Roses A.