Celtic Dragons have announced that Pembrokeshire’s Lucy Howells will be returning for the 2021 season.

Howells, from St Ishmaels, made her Superleague debut in the 2019 season. She made her very first league appearance live in a televised match against Team Bath at Arena Birmingham and went on to make several appearances for the franchise, helping the team to a seventh placed finish that year.

The former Milford Haven Secondary School pupil began her netball career at Chaos Netball Club in her native Pembrokeshire, before going on to attend and graduate from Cardiff Met University.

Playing in Cardiff Met provided Howells with a springboard to take her game to the next level and she won her very first international cap in Wales’ first test against South Africa in 2019. Her latest international appearance was against the Republic of Ireland at Netball Europe 2019.

Looking forward to the coming season, the 25-year-old said: “Since starting to play netball at the age of 16 I have attended and supported the Celtic Dragons franchise, to sign for my third season in a row is an absolute honour and privilege and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

“I am more determined and driven than ever to make season 2021 the best yet and can’t wait to start training and push myself and my team-mates to be the best athletes we can be.

“Following on from last seasons successes, and with the young fresh and exciting team Celtic Dragons have this season, I really feel as though we can push any team in the league as we continue to develop our connections and style of play.

"Celtic Dragons have a strong family bond and that is felt through the team, management and support staff, and I feel very at home in the environment.”

Celtic Dragons Director of Netball, Tania Hoffman said: “It is fantastic to have Lucy back in the squad for 2021. I felt that she learned so much from her debut season in 2019 and took her opportunities well.

“Lucy’s physicality and fearlessness make her a great asset to the team. I know that she will be eager to hit the court in the coming season and will look to build on what she has already achieved on the Superleague stage.”