Nottingham Forest pair Tash Pavelin and Jayda Pechova remain close both on and off the court. They share accommodation, patrol the defensive zone as a unit, and have featured alongside each other across the last three campaigns.

The duo learned together in late May of their inclusion in the England Vitality Roses pathway for 2026-27, placing them in contention for the Commonwealth Games scheduled next month.

Supporters know them fondly as Pavlova, and the pair will line up together once more when Forest, in only their second campaign, tackle their debut Netball Super League semi-final on Saturday versus regional rivals Loughborough Lightning.

Elite netballers face a demanding schedule at this stage of the season, making the national-team news a welcome boost.

"We were training in the gym and awaiting the messages," explained 28-year-old Pavelin. "Both of us kept checking our phones constantly until the news arrived within five minutes of each other. We felt delighted for one another."

With Forest preparing for their first play-off appearance, the selection carried extra meaning for Pechova, who had been eager to regain an international opportunity.

The 21-year-old Nottingham Forest goalkeeper has already experienced the peaks and troughs of top-level sport.

Back in 2022, at just 18, Pechova received a nomination for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and was viewed as a rising England talent.

She earned her first senior cap the following year versus New Zealand. Yet in 2024, after securing a scholarship at Bath University, Team Bath was dissolved amid a major league overhaul.

Like Pavelin, who also played at Bath, Pechova had little chance to dwell on the change and instead relocated to Nottingham to sign for the new Forest side.

She faced a lengthy commute between Nottingham and Bath, covering 300 miles round-trip, to continue her sports-management studies.

Further setbacks followed in 2025 when she was omitted from the senior Roses programme and initially overlooked for the Youth World Cup.

"It came as quite a surprise since I believed I had performed well in the Super League," Pechova told BBC Sport.

She found vital backing from Forest coach Chelsea Pitman, a former England player who claimed Commonwealth Games gold in 2018. Pitman recognised the upheaval in Pechova's circumstances.

"She was understandably upset," Pitman noted.

The coach proved the ideal confidante.

"After being released from the England group, I contacted Chelsea first," Pechova recalls. "She supported me immediately, and we met for coffee and a walk."

Pitman emphasises player growth in her approach, and together they identified steps to restore Pechova's standing with the Roses.

"We examined her high-performance habits and consistency, focusing on what England needed to observe," Pitman said.

"She has responded fully, arriving at every session ready to perform at her best. Her resilience stands out, and she studies footage to improve further."

Forest secured fourth place in the eight-team NSL, earning their initial play-off berth where the champions will ultimately be decided.

They meet a tough test in the minor semi-final against Loughborough, who posted an 11-3 regular-season record. Forest collected seven wins from 14 fixtures to finish fourth yet defeated Loughborough three weeks earlier.

The victors advance to face the loser of the major semi-final between leaders AO Manchester Thunder and defending champions London Pulse.

The major semi-final winner proceeds straight to the Grand Final at Co-op Live in Manchester on 20 June.

Pitman's team enter as underdogs among the final four, yet the challenging route does not concern her.

"The path is demanding but achievable," Pitman stated.

Pavelin and Pechova must perform at their peak to contain Loughborough.

The Pavlova nickname draws admiration for the pair's combined value to both club and country.

"We smiled when we first noticed it," Pavelin said. "It feels good to receive recognition for our defensive partnership and mutual support."

Pechova's summer schedule includes more than a potential Commonwealth Games medal.

She will complete her degree at Bath with a dissertation exploring the professionalisation of the Netball Super League and its impact on players' careers.

Given the league changes that ended her former team, launched her current club, and prompted major personal adjustments, she brings direct expertise to the subject.