Excitement is building as new professional netball team, the Severn Stars, gears up to welcome fans for its first home match.
The team is hoping for a sell-out crowd to cheer them to victory at the 2,000-seater University of Worcester Arena on Friday, March 3rd.
It is also hoping to inspire a new generation of netball fans who could one day play for the side themselves.
Following losses against defending champions Surrey Storm and Loughborough Lightning at the Super Ten event in Birmingham, the team is hoping to get its points tally up and running.
The Severn Stars face Cardiff-based Welsh team the Celtic Dragons for the first game at home.
Severn Stars Head Coach Mo'onia Gerrard said: "Home support can be like an extra player on court, giving the players a lift at a crucial moment.
"Having our first two matches away from home, the players are looking forward even more to that special atmosphere we are sure fans will create when the team steps on court at the Arena for the first time.
"I hope that both fans and newcomers to the sport will come out in force to support a brand new team and that the team can inspire young netball players watching, further lifting the profile of the game in the region.
"And, of course, we are determined to seal an all-important win."
Mick Donovan, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Inclusive Sport & Educational Development) at the University of Worcester, said: "We are really excited to welcome netball fans from across the region to the first Severn Stars game and hope it will become a fortress of success for the team and be the catalyst for a great season.
"So many people have worked extremely hard, both on and off the court to help to enable us to reach this stage and we really hope that Stars games at the Arena bring a great buzz to the city."
The Severn Stars is a joint partnership between the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire. The Club will initially play its home matches at the University of Worcester Arena, in Worcester.
Season tickets are available at the University of Worcester Arena or at the fitness suite at the Oxtalls Campus at the University of Gloucestershire.