Nottingham Forest
Tash Pavelin and Jayda Pechova have forged a formidable defensive partnership at Nottingham Forest, earning them the nickname ‘Pavlova’. Their synergy on the court has been a cornerstone of Forest’s impressive start to the 2026 season, despite recent setbacks against London Pulse and AO Manchester Thunder. The duo attributes their success to a unique off-court connection, which includes regular ten-pin bowling sessions and spa visits with their housemate Brie Grierson, helping them unwind from the pressures of elite netball.
Tash Pavelin said: “I love playing with Jay. We were keen to go somewhere together and keep that connection, so we were really happy that Forest gave us that opportunity. It has been amazing to keep that connection growing. We are getting to the point sometimes where we know what the other needs without saying it. I am just looking forward to seeing that grow more and more. We spend a lot of time together, both on and off the court, but it is really nice. It makes us closer on the court being so close off it. You get to know each other on a deeper level, but the team in general is really close. We do chat a lot of netball in the house, but we try and do other stuff away from that. We have got in the habit of going bowling quite a lot. We go to the spa for a bit of downtime. Jayda is the best at bowling. I was the worst for a while, but I’d say I have improved a bit. I had the barriers up for my first bowl, but they took the mick out of me, so I had to have barriers down.”
Pavelin added: “Being part of this team has helped me a lot, I feel very supported by the players around me. I don’t have to worry about anything else. I am happy playing netball and that brings out your best performances. I was a bit apprehensive about the move up, I had been in Bath for eight years. It was a big move for me but listening to Chelsea and what she wanted to do with the team, finding out who else was going to be there, that was a big pull for me. I absolutely love it. I love the area, I like that there’s a bit more going on and I get on really well with all the girls.”
The strength of their partnership is evident in their on-court statistics, with both players delivering strong performances. Pavelin’s confidence is further boosted by being named the Experience Kissimmee Player of the Match after Forest’s victory over London Mavericks. The 27-year-old is thriving in an environment that allows her to focus solely on netball, a luxury she didn’t have while juggling a full-time job.
Pavelin’s move to Nottingham Forest has been pivotal in her career, allowing her to embrace new challenges and opportunities. The club’s support, coupled with top-notch facilities and staff, has elevated her performance, aligning with Forest’s ambitions for a top-four finish. As the team eyes a spot in the Soft & Gentle Grand Final, Pavelin and her teammates are driven by the prospect of playing in front of a roaring crowd, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
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