SEVERN Stars head coach Mo’onia Gerrard has vowed to create a “fearless” team who play with “freedom” ahead of their Vitality Superleague debut.

Just under a month before the season starts, Gerrard says newly-formed Stars have been working hard on their style and mentality on court.

Worcester’s first professional netball team lost 52-37 to Wasps at the University of Wolverhampton in their pre-season opener.

But Gerrard insists her players have made plenty of progress since coming together for the first time in October.

They begin their league campaign on Saturday, February 18, at Surrey Storm.

“Because we are a new franchise and team we have got the luxury to mould this club how we want it and so far the girls have bought into the fact we need to start at a higher level,” said Gerrard.

“The girls have really taken on board the way Sam Bird (assistant coach) and I are trying to push them into another direction of netball.”

The 36-year-old, who won 68 caps for Australia Diamonds, has set high hopes for the upcoming season but she says it is important her team enjoy themselves.

“What you will probably see is a skilful yet fearless team who enjoy the game,” she said.

“I want girls to enjoy what they are doing rather than it being a slog. I am not a robotic coach at all and you will see a lot of players being themselves on court.”

Stars have recruited internationals with England aces Jodie Gibson, Laura Malcolm and Eleanor Caldwell, Trinidad and Tobago shooter Afeisha Noel and Australian defender Josie Janz-Dawson all joining.

Former Worcester Reds player Rachel Sweet is also among Gerrard’s 16-strong squad including 12 contracted players.

Gerrard says she has been pleased with the “type of people” she has brought to the club and believes a five-month pre-season will pay dividends.

“We dealt with the recruitment and had trials in early September,” she said. “Then we started pre-season in the first week of October.

“I am hearing we have probably had the longest pre-season but that’s what I am used to back in Australia and that’s what I am pushing for with the English girls.

“The people we recruited earlier are the type of people we wanted to have on board.

“They might be great players but we also want great people off the court and that’s a big deal for me, especially when you are starting a new club as it is about having really good people who want to grow themselves.”

Stars are preparing for their final pre-season game against Celtic Dragons at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre on Saturday (2pm).