As we wrap up our PR and media support for leading netball team Manchester Thunder, we’re reflecting on the media successes of the 2025 season, which has included some impressive broadcast, radio and print coverage. We championed Manchester Thunder as one of the best professional netball teams in the Netball Super League (NSL), and through our support we helped to promote the growing professionalisation of women’s sport.
Manchester Thunder is a leading netball team with an incredible track record as four-time Netball Super League (NSL) champions, in 2022, 2019, 2014 and 2012. As one of the eight teams taking part in the new NSL as the sport moves towards professionalisation, Manchester Thunder play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport.
Netball is already England’s most participated team sport for women and girls. But the new NSL aims to make it the most competitive, engaging and vibrant netball league worldwide. Supporting Manchester Thunder and the league means championing the growth of women’s sport, improving access and helping to ensure netball players have opportunities to thrive in the game.
The challenge: Promoting netball professionalisation and spotlighting Thunder’s finest players
Our challenge was to raise awareness for Manchester Thunder’s 2025 home games, particularly high-profile matches at the AO Arena in Manchester and the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
We were also tasked with creating compelling media narratives that showcased the elite talent, commitment and personal stories of the Thunder players to appeal to a broader audience and help boost ticket sales.
These effects were particularly important as the revamped NSL got underway, featuring new rules, fewer players per team and more games broadcast on BBC and Sky. With netball moving towards professionalisation, we aimed to help promote it as a must-watch spectator sport and challenge outdated perceptions.
Our PR approach: Telling players’ stories and supporting ticket sales
At the core of our approach was storytelling which captured the drive, skill and determination of the Manchester Thunder players. We worked closely with the team to highlight their professional and personal journeys and build compelling narratives that would resonate both with sports fans and the wider public.
A key focus was Thunder’s new captain Amy Carter, who balanced elite-level sport with life as a junior doctor on the NHS frontline. Her story, and others on the team, reflected the hard-work, commitment and strength that characterised the league.
We also aimed to spotlight Karen Grieg, Manchester Thunder’s Head Coach, who has delivered four league wins with the team since she became coach. The return of elite netball to Liverpool, and the rise of men’s and mixed netball offered new angles for coverage across national and regional media.
Securing wide-reaching and diverse media coverage
Leveraging our media relationships, we secured extensive coverage across broadcast, radio, print and online platforms. These included:
- Several features on ITV Granada, including a piece around Amy’s job as a junior doctor at Salford Royal Hospital and captaining Manchester Thunder. The piece featured on ITV’s online platform and explored how her role as a doctor helps her on the court.
- BBC North West Tonight coverage, as Ian Haslam from BBC Sport interviewed players and staff at Manchester Thunder as they geared up for one of their final home games at Belle Vue Arena.
- The Telegraph Women’s sport supplement, including an interview with Amy about how she feels the sport will progress and more on how the NSL aims to turn the ‘participation sport’ into a ‘spectator one’.
- Regional coverage in Manchester Evening News, Secret Manchester, Leeds Live, as well as BBC Radio Manchester.
- Spotlighting the growing men’s game with a BBC Radio Merseyside interview with male player Jay Power, which also helped to raise awareness for the upcoming Liverpool game.
Results and impact: Building momentum for the game
With coverage reaching 11.9 million views, an audience of 453 million and almost 9K engagements, our goal was to raise awareness for Manchester Thunder’s upcoming arena games and bring in new audiences that will support the team in the future. The coverage also assisted in raising the profile for women’s sports and getting more visibility for netball and women’s sport nationally.
With thousands of tickets sold for the two arena games, and many games at Belle Vue sold out – especially games against rivals such as London Pulse, who won the NSL this year – we provided relevant and impactful coverage across the region.
Real-life impact: Driving community change and putting the spotlight on women’s sports
Most importantly, the PR work over the season contributed towards a growing cultural shift, helping to level the playing field for women’s sports in terms of public knowledge, coverage, and appreciation.
While women’s sports continues to receive less coverage in the media compared to men’s sport, with reports suggesting a 20 / 80 split at best, progress is being made.
Last year, women’s sports achieved its most-watched year ever in the UK, and Manchester Thunder’s increased visibility added to that momentum this year.
Female athletes are being recognised more and more in the media, inspiring the next generation. By achieving widespread regional and national coverage, we helped ensure that women’s sports continue to be seen, heard and talked about.