After a superb 105-53 road victory down in Cardiff against the Met Archers last Saturday there was more good news from the Newcastle Eagles Women’s side with the announcement of an exciting stellar signing to bolster the roster.

Virtually all-season Head Coach Chloe Gaynor’s side has had to contend with unavailability of players through a succession of injuries. So, when the opportunity to add ex-Durham Palatinate Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby to her side, Gaynor jumped at the chance as she confirmed the signing.

“I’m really excited to have Harriet joining us for the remainder of the season. Harriet is a player I’ve enjoyed playing against for a number of seasons and I am looking forward to being on the same team.”


20250215 Newcastle Eagles v Durham Palatinates (Gary Forster) 009
Ottewill-Soulsby will be a familiar face for Eagles fans having seen her in Newcastle’s derby tip-offs against Durham. (Photos: Gary Forster)

“She will add depth and size to the roster as well as league and international experience. I know the fans will give Harriet a warm welcome when she makes her debut soon.”

Gaynor and Ottewill-Soulsby are more than hopeful that debut will come this Saturday, February 14 at home in the Vertu Arena against the very tough B. Braun Sheffield Hatters. A Hatters side that has just won the SLB Trophy, the first silverware of the 2025/26 season.

Ottewill-Soulsby spent 4 years at NCAA Division 1 Lafayette College from 2013 to 2017 before following her graduation she signed for Durham Palatinates on her first professional contract in 2017 and staying for two seasons.


The 6’ 4” centre who is British but was born in the Netherlands then moved to Germany for three seasons playing in the top-flight Bundesliga Division. The first two seasons at Eintracht Braunshweig before moving to BasCats Heidelberg in 2021.

For the 2022/23 season Ottewill-Soulsby moved to Belgium’s top league with Liege but in January 2023 returned to the UK for her second spell at Durham which also took in the last two campaigns.

In 2024/25 the former GB U-16, U-18 and full senior international averaged 12.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Ottewill-Soulsby is really looking forward to getting her Eagles career flying.

Ottewill-Soulsby in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament Rwanda in 2024. (Photo: FIBA)

“I’ve got a lot of history playing against the Eagles and have always been impressed with the culture and professionalism of the club. I’m excited to finally have the crowd on my side and enjoy the atmosphere and everything else the basketball community has built here.”


Ottewill-Soulsby has been a regular visitor to games at the Vertu Arena this season as a spectator. Now she’ll be in attendance as the latest addition to Coach Gaynor’s roster. Adding her considerable presence to the line-up.

The former Durham standout is reunited with Sarah Wells and Shanique Lucas who signed for the Eagles from Durham last summer. (Photos: Gary Forster)

It also means she will be the third ex-Durham player in the Eagles ranks as she links up with her former Palatinate teammates Sarah Wells and Shanique Lucas. That familiarity and experience in the UK means Newcastle are hoping Ottewill-Soulsby can hit the ground running tonight when they face Sheffield Hatters.

This evening’s Valentine’s tip-off at the Vertu Arena is at the usual time of 7:30pm and tickets are still available in advance on the box office and on the door.