Pavelin and Pechova Earn England Call-Ups Amid Nottingham Forest’s Championship Push

Nottingham Forest's defensive stalwarts, Tash Pavelin and Jayda Pechova, have both been selected for the 2026-27 England Vitality Roses programme, a significant achievement that places them in contention for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The duo, affectionately nicknamed 'Pavlova' by fans, are a cornerstone of the Nottingham Forest side as they prepare for their first-ever Netball Super League (NSL) semi-final.

A Shared Dream Realised

The England call-up came as a welcome boost for Pavelin and Pechova, who discovered their inclusion in the Roses programme within minutes of each other in late May. "We were in the gym, waiting for the emails to come through," recounted Pavelin, 28. "We were both refreshing our phones so much, and then we literally found out five minutes apart. We were just so happy for each other."

The selection is particularly poignant for 21-year-old Pechova, who has navigated a challenging path back to the international stage. Nominated for BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2022 and recognised as a rising star, Pechova earned her senior cap in 2023. However, a major Netball Super League restructure in 2024 led to the disbandment of her former team, Team Bath, a situation also affecting Pavelin.

Overcoming Adversity

Pechova, like Pavelin, relocated to Nottingham to join the newly formed Forest team. This transition presented significant challenges, including a demanding commute between Nottingham and Bath to continue her sports management degree. Her journey also saw her dropped from the senior Roses programme and initially overlooked for the Youth World Cup in 2025, a period she described as a "big shock."

Support from Coach Chelsea Pitman, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist herself, proved crucial for Pechova. "When I got dropped from the England squad, the first thing I did was message Chelsea. She picked me up straight away, we got a coffee and went on a walk," Pechova recalled. Pitman focused on Pechova's development, helping her to refine her high-performance behaviours and consistency. "She has just attacked it. She's turning up to every session to put her best foot forward. She is extremely resilient. She wants to watch videos; she wants to be better," Pitman said.

Pechova attributes her resilience partly to her decade of experience in gymnastics. She also draws inspiration from her mother's advice that "actions speak louder than words." Her on-court actions in 2026 have been demonstrative, with her defensive statistics placing her in the top three for rebounds, interceptions, and gains.

Forest's Post-Season Aspirations

Nottingham Forest secured fourth place in the eight-team NSL, earning them a spot in the semi-finals. They face a tough challenge against East Midlands rivals Loughborough Lightning, who finished the regular season with an 11-3 record. Forest, who won seven of their 14 matches, did manage to defeat Loughborough just three weeks prior to this crucial fixture.

The winners of this semi-final will advance to face the loser of the 'major' semi-final between top seeds AO Manchester Thunder and last year's champions London Pulse. The victor of the 'major' semi-final will go directly to the Grand Final on June 20 at Co-op Live in Manchester.

Coach Pitman acknowledges the difficult path ahead but remains optimistic. "It is a hard journey, but it's not impossible," she stated. Pavelin and Pechova's defensive partnership will be key to Forest's chances against Loughborough. The 'Pavlova' nickname is a testament to their strong bond and value to both club and country. "It's really nice for that recognition as well of the defensive partnership and what we do for each other," Pavelin commented.

Pechova's busy summer schedule also includes graduating from Bath University, where she completed a dissertation on the professionalisation of the Netball Super League and its impact on player livelihoods. Her research topic is particularly relevant given the league's recent restructuring and the personal experiences of players like herself.

Datos clave
Event|Selection for England Vitality Roses programme
Players|Tash Pavelin, Jayda Pechova
Team|Nottingham Forest
Competition|Netball Super League Semi-Finals, Commonwealth Games
Significance|Key players in contention for national honours and club success.

This development is significant for NationalSportsWeb's readership as it highlights the emergence of top talent within the Netball Super League and the potential for these players to represent England on the international stage. The dual focus on individual player success and team aspirations within a competitive league provides compelling narratives for sports fans.

Fuente: BBC Sport, https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/articles/clypynrj11no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

Datos clave