Sport

‘All about rivalry’: Manchester Thunder want UK record crowd off south, says Bayman

Manchester Thunder are looking to break the UK record for the highest attended domestic match at Netball Manchester Live on April 18th. 

Thunder will take on Yorkshire Jets at the Manchester Arena in a war-of-the-roses clash that brings the domestic season to a close.

The record is currently held by Netball London Live, played last March, which attracted 6033 people.

Thunder and England captain Sara Bayman is intent on securing both goals, beating her bitter Yorkshire rivals whilst smashing the London attendance record.

“This game is going to be all about rivalry,” she said.

“It’s us against Jets, the north-west against Yorkshire, and the north against the south when it comes to breaking the attendance record.

“We want fans of both teams, and anyone cross the region that just loves sport to be there cheering and helping us make history.”

Thunder were crowned Vitality Netball Superleague champions in 2012 and 2014 and will be looking to give new coach Dan Ryan a successful 2016 campaign, which begins at the end of this month.

The game will also bring together numerous internationals from both teams who will be intent on putting on a quality display in front of a packed crowd 

The opportunity to make sporting history is also being supported by Manchester City Council as the event represents a fantastic move not just for netball, but also for north-west sport in general.

“Manchester Thunder’s players are local sporting legends,” said Councilor Rosa Battle, executive member for culture and leisure.

“The upcoming match against Yorkshire Jets will undoubtedly be an unmissable spectacle set to attract record-breaking crowds.

“Netball Manchester Live is part of a phenomenal programme of sports events taking place in the city throughout 2016, illustrating once again how much we love all sports.

“I am proud that we are able to provide a platform for elite women’s sport, which is all too often sidelined.

£I am sure the skills and aptitude of all the netball players will inspire everyone who attends the game.”

With a record-breaking crowd expected, tickets are set to be in high demand when they go on sale on Wednesday January  20th.

Tickets are available via www.netballmanchesterlive.com

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