WORCESTER Wolves women kick off their campaign with a National Cup clash against Cardiff Archers II at the University of Worcester’s St John’s Campus Sports Centre on Sunday (4pm).

As well as retaining many of last season’s squad, head coach Ryan Emery has also been busy bolstering his ranks ahead of the new National League Division Two season.

Wura Ijelu (Barking Abbey), Grace Brownell (Sheffield Hatters), Megan Mcloughlin (Sefton Starlights), Jessie Rowlands (Solent Kestrels), Estella Monely and Layla Hall (both Bristol Storm) have all arrived.

They have also signed Mante Balzaravicuite and Adrinna Sustova who have come over from Malta and Slovakia respectively.

“We have been recruiting some of these players to the university for over a year now,” Emery said.

“It is nice to finally get them all together and get to work.”

In pre-season, Wolves were edged out by two points against a tough Charnwood Riders side who play in Division One.

“There was plenty of positives to take away but it was a team effort,” Emery said.

“No-one scored particularly highly but no-one played more than 20 minutes in the game.

“That is the tone we want to set, everyone will play but they need to play for the team not themselves.

“If we play like that we will be competitive against everyone in our league.”