Seventeen‑year‑old netball star Gracie Smith has been named to England Netball's full‑time Roses programme for the 2026‑27 season, positioning her for a potential role at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.. The selection follows a championship‑winning debut in the Netball Super League at age 16, marking her rapid rise in the sport.

Gracie Smith’s championship debut at 16 sparks full‑time Roses call‑up

England Netball announced that Smith’s standout performances, including a pivotal role in her club’s Super League title last year, secured her a place among the 21‑player roster for the upcoming season. Coach Anna Stembridge praised the teenager’s “blend of talent, commitment and tactical versatility,” suggesting she could be a key contributor as the squad eyes gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Veteran defenders Alice Harvey and Jayda Pechova return to Roses A pathway

The new roster also re‑integrates defenders Alice Harvey and Jayda Pechova, both of whom spent the previous season in the rebranded Future Roses (now Roses A) development structure. Their return highlights England Netball’s emphasis on continuity and experience within its talent pipeline .

Four Roses squad members compete in Australia’s elite leagues

Among the 21 athletes, Imogen Allison, Sasha Glasgow, Helen Housby and Fran Williams are currently playing for Australian clubs, providing the England side with ovesreas experience that Coach Stembridge believes will bolster the team’s tactical depth ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup.

Roses A expansion widens pathway for 23 emerging players

England Netball’s overhaul of its development system now lists 23 players—including Halimat Adio, Jaz Brown and Liv Tchine—under the Roses A banner, offering enhanced coaching, sports‑science support and competitive exposure. The move aims to smooth the transition from domestic leagues to senior international duty.

Who will fill the final Commonwealth Games roster?

While Smith’s inclusion is confirmed, the exact composition of the squad that will travel to Birmingham remains unsettled. Questions remain about which of the overseas‑based players will be released for the Games and how many of the Roses A prospects will earn senior caps before the 2027 World Cup.

According to the announcement, England Netball’s strategy blends home‑grown talent like Smith with seasoned internationals, a formula designed to keep the national side competitive on both Commonwealth and World stages. As the program expands, observers will watch how quickly the new cohort adapts to senior‑level demands.