SEVERN Stars head coach Sam Bird is leaving after three years at the Worcester club.

Bird has been with the Vitality Netball Superleague side since the start, working under head coach Mo’onia Gerrard before stepping up to the top role for the last two years.

Stars have progressed from eighth in 2017 to sixth place in the last two seasons alongside two semi-finals at the British Fast5 All-Stars Championships.

Bird said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Stars. It has been a pleasure to work with the team from the beginning and through three seasons.

"In particular I have enjoyed collaborating with the players and staff who have worked together to produce some very exciting and dramatic netball for the club.

"It has been very rewarding to see players signed by the club make improvements in their game play and understanding and being passionate about playing for Stars.

"I am a player-centred coach so I will certainly miss the players I have got to know on a professional and personal level. I wish the club every success in the future.”

Anita Navin, co-director of Stars, said: “Sam has been integral to making the club what it is today and we wish her every success in the future.

"We will be looking to make an announcement about a new head coach in the coming weeks.”

Bird will be head coach of England A this summer.

Stars ended the season with a 60-45 defeat to leaders Wasps at the University of Worcester Arena.

Sixth place secured a place in October's British Fast5 All-Stars Championships.

Stars trailed 17-9 in the first quarter and 33-23 at half-time before hitting back to go 45-39 behind into the finale.

Bird added: “I’m proud of the squad's last performance at home.

"Again we ran Wasps close in the second and third quarters, winning the third, but they came out really strong in the first and it was hard for us to make up the ground. 

"It was a fantastic atmosphere in the arena and I would like to thank the fans for their amazing support."