Sonia Mkoloma

English defender who won 123 caps across a 15-year international career, later becoming assistant coach for England's historic 2023 World Cup silver medal squad.

Sonia Mkoloma was born on 17 January 1979 in London. A formidable goal keeper and goal defender, she made her senior England debut in 1999 and went on to represent the Vitality Roses at five Netball World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015) and three Commonwealth Games, winning World Championship/World Cup bronze medals in 1999, 2011 and 2015, and Commonwealth Games bronze in 2006 and 2010. Domestically, Mkoloma captained the Brunel/Surrey Storm franchise in the Netball Superleague's early years alongside fellow defender Geva Mentor, before moving into the Australasian ANZ Championship with Central Pulse in 2008, Canterbury Tactix in 2009 and the NSW Swifts from 2010. She retired from international netball after the 2015 World Cup in Sydney with 123 caps, third on England's all-time list behind Jade Clarke and Geva Mentor. Mkoloma transitioned into coaching, joining the Vitality Roses as assistant coach in June 2021 under Jess Thirlby and playing a key role in the coaching staff behind England's historic silver medal at the 2023 World Cup in Cape Town. She became Roses Pathway Head Coach in 2024, before being appointed head coach of Netball Super League side Birmingham Panthers in 2025, and has also appeared as an assistant referee on the BBC's revived Gladiators.

Physically imposing defender excelling at goal keeper and goal defence, known for disrupting opposition attacks and court coverage

A long-serving England international who transitioned seamlessly into coaching, helping deliver the country's greatest-ever World Cup result

• World Championship/World Cup Bronze 1999, 2011, 2015
• Commonwealth Games Bronze 2006, 2010
• England Netball's third most-capped player (123 caps)
• England Roses Assistant Coach for the 2023 World Cup silver medal