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Ex-England captain Atkinson takes role at Forest

Karen Atkinson working as Hertfordshire Mavericks head coach in 2012
Karen Atkinson was inducted into the England Netball Hall of Fame in 2009 [Rex Features]

Newly-formed Netball Super League club Nottingham Forest have appointed former England captain and Loughborough Lightning head coach Karen Atkinson as technical advisor.

The 46-year-old takes on the role with the Reds, having left her job as performance director at Netball Scotland earlier this year.

Atkinson will play a pivotal role in building the Forest side, with the East Midlands outfit only granted a place British netball's top flight at the end of May.

The club has the backing of Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

She is the second major name to join Forest this week with former England player Chelsea Pitman brought in as head coach.

Atkinson, who also previously coached Hertfordshire Mavericks and Strathclyde Sirens in Super League, said the role was "too good an opportunity to turn down".

"My role involves assisting with key recruitments, such as the exiting appointment of Chelsea Pitman as head coach, along with other key support staff, and sharing my experience across performance netball.

"It is an exciting time for the sport, but especially for a club like Nottingham Forest who are ambition and can start with fresh ideas and a unique approach on how they want to grow their club."