U16 Nationals Placing
Our U16 represented the club brilliantly at Club Nationals in Newcastle at the end of April. A squad of 12 travelled with Anna, Maggie and Rochelle, with some great kit, team sweets and all you need for a Nationals trip! Saturday saw 4 games, starting with Turnford, who are always strong. We took the win, and carried on unbeaten that day. Some excellent play from the girls, but some tired legs, and thankfully no injuries. The girls enjoyed a good team meal on Saturday night, enjoying the fact that they had played themselves into a top 6 place. They won their first match on Sunday, then met Bury to fight for a place in the final. Leeds lost by about 9 goals, and were beaten by a good side. This meant a place in the 3/4th play off, which Leeds lost by a very narrow margin. Disappointed at the time, but then realising their achievement of being 4th in the country, with memories of a weekend with their friends. Particular thanks to the coaches (Anna, Maggie, Rochelle) for their efforts over the weekend and to others who helped with the planning and preparation for the weekend trip.
U13 tournament runners up
Our U13 went to PGL for the weekend and did brilliantly in the tournament to be runners up, having only lost one match en route to the final. The girls had a great time playing netball, socialising and doing outdoor activities. Superb experience for these youngsters. Thanks to parents for organising. U13 also did the recent Gung Ho race at Temple Newsam for an extra team building and social event.
Our premier squad travelled to Sheffield for the Prem play off weekend and had to play well to retain their position in Prem 1. They won on Saturday, which set up a needle match vs Team Bath for Sunday. Leeds put out the best performance of the season to beat Team Bath and retain their placing in Prem 1. No mean feat, well done to players and coach Vicky.
Netball Nights - Winter
Our U14 team were runners up in Netball Nights, a massive achievement as they have done this largely without any seniors playing. This is great preparation for nationals and great experience for the U13 who have also had the opportunity to play in this adult league. Thanks to the coaches who have helped with this, especially Kylie and Beccy.
Jets programmes
Good luck to all those trialling in Jets programmes for the summer. Let’s see the club well represented again and get that extra training through the summer with Anna. There is a Youth and Junior ADP, a Summer Jets Squad (including NPL) and we will be announcing an U11 (Year 6) programme very soon. Also, take the opportunity of the camps and workshops for that extra bit of input to improve your game. These are on the Jets website and there are a number in half term, with others in the Summer (including a high quality residential camp).
Netball Nights – Summer
We have two teams entered into the Summer Netball Nights league. An NNA (largely U14 plus siblings) and an NNB (largely U16, U13 and some seniors). This is a great way to develop our youngsters through the summer. The teams play each other this week!!
U14 Nationals
Our U14 are all set for their Club Nationals trip to Essex next weekend, where they will play in a tournament against the top 18 teams in the country. They’re well prepared, having had extra training sessions, got the kit, done Colour M Rad, and a half day camp. Like U16, they have a great coaching team to support them (led by Kylie, supported by Kate Lightfoot and Jo Walker, and also supported by Hannah Gorman and Georgia Pexton who have worked with the U14 all year). We wish them the very best of luck!
2016/17 Trials
Trials are provisionally booked for Sunday 4th September at Beckett. Trial entry forms will be on line towards the end of June. The closing date will be mid August. The handbook is being revised and updated for next season and we will announce the coaching team during the summer break.
Representative stuff
Good luck to our players in the running for a place in the upcoming England U21 and U19 tours. Good luck to those at Regional Trials in June and County Trials in September.