After almost two and a half years, GIANTS captain Jo Harten will represent her home nation as the English Vitality Roses take on the Jamaican Sunshine Girls in the upcoming Vitality Netball ‘Roses Reunited’ Series.
The three-match series gets underway on Sunday, November 28 at London’s Copper Box Arena before consecutive games on December 5 and 6 at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
The last time Harten represented the Roses was at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, with the Roses taking home the Bronze Medal.
The now permanent Australian Resident said it’s been great getting to grips with a new group of English athletes.
“I’ve been learning different styles of play and the new England way,” Harten said.
“The first couple of sessions was very much about watching and seeing where I might be able to contribute.
“It's great forming new combos with some of the young stars coming through.”
The upcoming series forms part of the Roses 2022 Commonwealth Games preparations and with COVID restrictions beginning to ease for International travel, it creates an opportunity for the likes of Harten, Helen Housby and Stacey Francis-Bayman to travel home from Australia and be part of the preparations.
“This series is a really important building block ahead of not only Commonwealth Games next year but also the Netball World Cup in 2023,” said Harten.
“And for me on an individual note it’s about learning how to perform at an international level again.”
A return to England has allowed Harten to see friends and family for the first time in over two years, including good friend and former GIANTS teammate Serena Guthrie.
“Seeing Serena was just like old times – a little bit crazy, a little bit silly, but a whole lot of love,” said Harten.
“Not being able to see friends or family for the past two years has been tough.
“COVID has changed the world we live in and I’m so grateful to have been able to reconnect with so many people during this stint back in England.”
Whilst not around her GIANTS teammates for the first phase of pre-season, Harten said she’s been checking in and following with a watchful eye.
“I've been speaking with a few of the girls and checking in with ‘TR’ (Tom Reddin) our lead strength and conditioning coach - all reports have been really positive.
“I can see the girls have been working extremely hard and I'm looking forward to seeing their gains and joining back with them as soon as possible.”
