AMBITIOUS head coach Mo’onia Gerrard is confident Severn Stars can “surprise a few” in the Vitality Superleague as she targets a top-four finish.

The former Australia Diamonds international made her first visit to the University of Worcester Arena this week where the professional netball team will play their home games.

Stars, who will also be based in Gloucestershire, are among three new franchises to enter next season’s Superleague, which begins in February.

The arrival of Gerrard is considered a signal of intent by the Worcester club and the 35-year-old says she is relishing the chance to start work from scratch.

“This is my first visit here and the standard of the facilities are what I expected and I have just had a good feeling since I signed on as head coach,” said Gerrard, who moved to England after her partner Dave Dennis joined Premiership rugby side Exeter Chiefs.

“I am looking forward to the season starting and really getting the ball rolling.”

Gerrard revealed talks were already under way to bring some big players to the club as well as two imports from Australia and New Zealand.

“I have a fair idea of how I want to approach this, the theme we want out there on the court and the sorts of players I want to sign,” she said.

“The two girls we are talking to are international quality and they’re looking for a new adventure, so I am hoping we can announce that pretty soon.

“But at the moment I am just excited to be here as it is a new franchise. We are starting from a clean slate so we can mould this club into what we want.

“There is massive potential here and once we get those players on board we can show what we are made of and put Severn Stars on everyone’s lips.”

Scottish Sirens and Coventry-based Wasps were also included in the new-look Superleague, which features 10 teams.

“As we are a new franchise, people won’t know what to expect from us, so we can surprise a few people in how we plan our tactical game,” Gerrard continued.

“My ambition for this season would be top four. If we can make that or even succeed that, then that would be great.

“We will take it week by week, but I come from a winning background, so I want to win everything.”

Gerrard played in 68 Test matches for Australia and career highlights ranged from her influential role during the 2007 World Cup success through to a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Since retiring from playing and embarking on a coaching career in 2013, Gerrard has gained experience at State League level in her home area of New South Wales.

She was a specialist coach in two years with Australia’s Under-19 and Under-21 squads.

Gerrard also served as a technical coach to NSW Swifts in the ANZ Championship and coached internationally in Tonga.

University of Worcester’s Mick Donovan, director of the Severn franchise, said: “It is quite refreshing when a new coach comes in and says they want to be top four because a lot of coaches would go safe.

“But her ambition and determination are really attractive traits.”