Mike Greenwood Snr. will take over as director of coaching for Northern Thunder for the 2008-9 season of the Superleague.

Greenwood is currently head coach of Oldham Netball Club and director of coaching for Lancashire.

He has extensive international experience having coached the England under 17 and under 19 squads to victory in the European Netball Championships.

Michael Greenwood Jnr., co-owner of Netball UK Northern Thunder, said: “Together with the separate counties that make up the North West region, the franchise's new committee is preparing a five-year plan to develop netball throughout the region.

"Funding will be provided for the regions’ high performance squad, linking it with the England National Talent League squad. From this youth system the best of the youngsters will feed into the full Superleague squad – and ultimately the prospect of appearing in a televised match - with Northern Thunder challenging for title honours. That is our aim!”

Netball UK Ltd. recently announced plans for a major investment in the re-development of Northern Thunder, the squad which finished the 2007-8 season in last place, with only one win for the season.