National Schools final for Newlands
U16s girls team see off regional rivals to book their place
Newlands Girls School u16s girls' side have secured a place at the England Netball National Schools Championships after seeing off some of the best schools in the region at the weekend's qualifying event.
On a cold and damp Saturday morning the squad travelled to Farnborough to represent their county at the u16s regional tournament. The best two teams from each county face off against each other to decide who'll represent the south of England in the national event.
The girls squad, who are captained by Woodley Netball Club and Saracens Mavericks u17s player Zoe Allanson have been training hard at after school sessions for the past few months in preparation for the tournaments.
Regular national finalists Brighton College were dispatched 13-9 in their opening game before Newlands stepped up their efforts to beat St Swithuns 15-5. A narrow defeat to Didcot School failed to derail their progress and victories over John Colet School in Oxfordshire (12-5) and Bucks school Dr Challoners (15-10) saw the side top their pool.
A nail-biting semifinal ensued against Wycombe Abbey in which defenders Zara Stuttard, vice captain
Newlands Girls u16s netball team have made it through to the National Schools Championships in Welwyn Garden City in March. Lucy McMaster and fender Lucy McMaster Georgina McAdam had and wing defence to fight for every ball. Georgia McAdam leave Millie Croxford kept a the court. Subs Macy cool head to maintain Handscomb and Kate her 89 per cent shooting Monger did a great job average, while Zoe Alto ensure their absence lanson and centre court wasn't too keenly felt, players Abi Purdie and but Brighton College Freya Train gave the managed to fight back to team incredible drive as win by two goals. they ran out 13-9 winHead of Netball and ners, thereby securing Year 11, Hannah their spot in the NaMcMahon was ecstatic tional Schools Champiat the result. She said: onships. "Newlands have not had
With both sides having a team reach the Naalready qualified the tional Schools Final final was something of a since 1992, and when formality. Newlands you consider virtually were leading Brighton every school in the College 8-6 approaching country plays netball, to half-time, before two make it to the final 16 is nasty injuries saw de- a phenomenal result.”
Coach Annette Allanson added: "I could not be more proud of these girls today. To take on some of the biggest netball schools, many of whom have far more resources and funding than Newlands do, and win game after game at this level is almost unbelievable.
"This team are an incredibly versatile, talented, focused and supportive bunch of girls, all of whom love netball and play regularly, and I am excited to coach them to the next level!"
The National Schools Championships take place in Welwyn Garden City in March.