Saracens Mavericks head coach Kathryn Ratnapala says she is aiming for a top three finish in this year's Vitality Netball Superleague campaign. 

The side have previously finished fifth in the last two years but Ratnapala, who was appointed to the role in 2017, wants all that to change. 

She told Sky Sports: "We are setting ourselves a target of top three this year.

"Previously, it has always been top four, but we've missed out. The reason is the margins between the teams are so tight and the level of competition getting better and better.

"That's really exciting, and it makes for great viewing but from our side, it means that we need to keep on pushing and stepping up for each game.

"It’s the one per cent gains that are going to make the difference. It’s making sure that we are getting together and getting over the line together. There’s a very different feel right now, which is really positive."

Ahead of the new one-day season opener at the weekend, the side decided to take a different approach to their pre-season training.

"We have individual targets. We've got individual targets for each game which we're working towards to keep the momentum.

"We're excited, we have a new fresh air about the squad and our workings with Saracens have given us a lot of new ideas and approaches this year.

"I'm just looking forward to getting through a season with the squad really stepping up, delivering on court and staying as a collective unit."

Mavericks will face Severn Stars in the season opener at Birmingham Arena on February 22.