PERFORMANCE

Prem and Senior Regional leagues were completed last week. Northern have one match left next weekend, a rearranged one against Chevrons. This weekend should have marked the end of the season for Junior West Yorkshire and Regional matches, however due to a leaking roof in a previous week the U16s still have a match in the West Yorkshire League next Sunday. For the same reason our U14 West Yorkshire team played two matches today.

Our U16 Regional team came out with purpose to win 62-9 against Sheffield Stormers, not surprising really with shooters on 91%. They remain in first position unbeaten all season and taking top spot in the league with a place at National finals on May Day weekend. In a similar fashion the U14s forged on 47-27 against Sheffield Concord to claim the league winners title with an unbeaten record and a place at National finals at the end of May. We wish these squads the best of luck as they head into final preparations for national competitions, and we will be looking to support you at the end of April and the end of May respectively.

An early start for the U16 West Yorkshire squad an 8.30am meet which was really 7.30am!! Still smiles all round with a 39-20 win against Shipley placing them at the top of the league with one match to go. Great performance in the top WY league.  Later in the day our U14 West Yorkshire girls beat YMCA 3 and Shipley, 45-11 and 37-30 respectively although the second match was much closer than the final scoring suggests.  Excellent results!

Our Littlies were in action again Hi5 (1) playing Terrier Tots resulting in a frustrating 7-8 loss after being ahead in the first three quarters. These guys have done so well though given their ages!
Hi5 (2) played Wakefield Phoenix (2) losing 14-1 but still smiling at the end. Lots of learning here for these young netballers.

Earlier in the week our young, mostly U14 Netball Nights team had a closely fought match against. Victorious Secrets narrowly losing 26-30, but learning how to improve their game in this adult league.

On Saturday our West Yorkshire Seniors had a harsh encounter against Shipley, who fielded an experienced team including ex Superleague players, but our young squad (with a few very experienced players) clung to the lead winning by 2 goals, 46-44. One more match next week for this group.

Well done to all our athletes attending the Rhinos day of netball at Yok Uni on Saturday, not the NPL U19 or U15 Academy result we wanted, but a good win for Rhinos U17s vs Thunder Futures, and some great learning for the U13 group being coached by Anna Carter and the Hub athletes having a great tournament. Super support for the NPL game, showing the demand for netball in Yorkshire. Let’s keep those fingers crossed that Rhinos can secure a Superleague spot as soon as possible. Well done to other athletes competing in other franchise age groups and to our former athletes in the Birmingham Uni squad who were in the BUCS finals!
As ever, huge thanks to all our coaches and team admins, some great reports on Facebook each week, and some lovely photographs as well. 

TRIALS
LANC - Trials Application 2019/20 will be open in the next day or so, there will be a TRIALS tab on the website. We will send you the link and put on Social Media. Here are the dates and closing date information:

• Seniors - (school yr 12 and above in Sept 2019) trials on 4/7 - 8-10pm - closing date 27/6
• Under 16s – (school yr 10 &11 in Sept 2019) trials on 13/6 - 8-10pm – closing date 6/6
• Under 14s – (school yr 8 & 9 in Sept 2019) trials on 20/6 and 27/6 8-10pm – closing date 13/6 athletes to attend both sessions.
• Under 12s - (school yr 7 in Sept 2019) trials on 30/6 9am-12 noon - closing date 23/6
• Under 11s don’t trial as such, but do have selection in early September, within their training sessions to determine which players train on a Tuesday or Sunday.

A final message for our injured players, and we have quite a few at various stages of recovery. We all wish you the very best, follow advice, work hard, and stay in touch with your team mates, we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Take care, we appreciate it is very hard. 

Thanks 

PERFORMANCE
On Wednesday our Netball Nights team beat Thundercats 25-15 in a rearranged game to tie up the winter league. Thanks to player coach Libby Hodgkiss for providing support, advice and encouragement for our young team of mainly U14 year olds in this senior league.

The West Yorkshire Seniors had an impressive win 56-40 up against Wakefield Wildcats, two more games to go in this league and in contention at the top of the Superleague division.

Massive congratulations to our Senior Yorkshire Regional squad who have won the league, taking the win against Harrogate Phoenix 63-38. Then reliant on third place Hallam to beat first place Sheffield Stormers in the following match, it was a tense wait. Good for us Hallam won, Leeds took top spot, now in second place Stormers still go through to Northern league as LANC do not qualify, each club are only allowed one team in Northern League. This season the Regional league squad has consisted of players mainly aged 14 to 18, up against the best senior teams in Yorkshire. Well done to coach Susie Stead for directing this team to be league champions!

Still with Seniors our Prem one side beat local rivals Grangetown 53-40 at home, Leeds Beckett University. A great finish to the season, safely staying in the top flight of netball league. Massive thanks to Francine as player coach and Jane who has been primary carer and organiser. Thanks also to those who have scored and timed for games, and those who have driven to away games.

The U16 Regional team continued their winning streak with a 23-45 win against Sheffield Concord their place in Nationals now confirmed, and remaining unbeaten with a crazy goal difference!

Our U14 Regional team also won confirming their Nationals place. Beating Dronfield 61-10, again unbeaten, well done all!

In the West Yorkshire league our U16s had a close win 30-29, up against Yorkshire Terriers, finally coming down to a penalty after the final whistle, just like the Commonwealth Games Final. Not great for the nerves on a Sunday morning, but big well done!

Sadly at 26-34 it was a loss for the U14 West Yorkshire team playing Wakefield Wildcats, however they will remain top of the league above Wildcats on a significant goal difference with two matches to play.

A win v Huddersfield Giants for our U12(1) in their last game of the season coming top of their league, clear winners with a goal difference of an amazing 335. U12(2) have done brilliantly to come second in the same league. Massive congratulations to both teams and coach John Hipshon. Thanks for all the background work Kathryn.

The U12(2) played U12(3) today resulting in a 20-12 win to the 2nds. Loads of effort from both sides in a match played with great spirit.

Hi 5(1) had a good outing against YMCA(2), it was a close one final outcome 9-11 to YMCA. Lots of improvement in recent weeks, well done everyone. Hi5(2) lost 13-8 to Twinkles but more goals being scored each match, the girls were fantastic and are getting better week by week. Thanks to all helpers in this league. Super to see the photos and match results posted on FB.
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Trial dates will be announced soon. Most will be in June. Watch this space. 

​PERFORMANCE 
For Seniors we only had a Northern game this week, the girls were facing local rivals Shipley Swifts at home. Tired legs for some, with five players having played the previous day at National Schools Finals, still managing to grind out a win 52-43. Tough one for Jan to coach, but well done!

Massive congratulations to our U16 Regional squad who despite several injuries have made it through to National Finals (unless anyone else scores 347 goals in their next two matches), beating Ripon Rockets 56-16. Countdown begins! Let’s go Leeds. Still on a winning streak the U14 Regional squad beat Kingston 60-20, next week will be the deciding game as to qualification for their National Finals. 

Lots of injuries in our U16 West Yorkshire squad this week, wishing you speedy recoveries. Special shout out to players who played out of position and did an awesome job to secure a win. Final score 34-15 against YMCA (2).  Super performances from the U14 West Yorkshire team playing YMCA (2) they were in control of the game from the outset eventually winning 40-20. The only U12 league team playing this week was U12(4) who showed great skill and teamwork losing only narrowly to Huddersfield Giants 8-11. 

Our Hi5ers were out battling away against a much bigger and older Huddersfield Giants, but sounds like they won the admiration of the umpires and opposition supporters with their attitude and ability. Well done girls think you win the fair play award this week, just what the league is asking for- so proud of you all. Hi 5(1) faced Huddersfield Giants. Hi5(2) scoring the most amount of goals in a match so far, well done girls. Eventual outcome 11-15 to Terrier Tots. 
A mixed team of U12 A and B travelled to Hull to play a friendly against Chevrons U13 the older team coming out on top 22-12, but lots of learning. Thanks to coach John Hipshon arranging friendly competitions on non-league fixture days.

SCHOOLS & COLLEGES
Well done to all the Yorkshire Schools who qualified, no mean feat. It was a tough day, very windy and gusty! We had athletes competing for Yorkshire Schools and North West Schools. Everyone had a mixed set of results in the rounds, with some really closely contested games across only 7 mins each way! Only GSAL U19s made it out of their group from the Yorkshire representatives, and this squad has plenty of our current and former players in it. They won the semi-final against a strong Bromsgrove side, but lost in the final to Worthing College. Proud to take the silver medal at a National Competition, well done!  

Bishop Burton, with lots of our players and former players, won their Semi in the national competition and will now meet Worthing College in the final, good luck!

LOOKING AHEAD
We are getting close to the season end, but let’s finish these well! Prem play Grangetown at home this Sunday, come and support if you can! 11:30 Beckett. Senior Regional have their final game and could be crowned champions. There are important Regional Juniors and WY Junior games.
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AND FINALLY
A big thank you message to all our coaches and helpers, and to parents for driving everywhere! And, a big best wishes message to our injured players, we have plenty of recent injuries as well as some longer standing ones. It is tough when you can’t do what you love, but stay strong and follow advice and we look forward to seeing you back as soon as possible.
 
Leeds Athletic Netball Club
www.leedsathleticnetballclub.org.uk
@LeedsAthleticNC

​An update about performance, the usual update about wider netball, and a very important message from colleagues who run the West Yorkshire Junior Netball League on our behalf. Please ensure you read the bottom of the message. And also keep in touch with injured team mates to make sure they're ok!

A busy Sunday of fixtures, although some unfortunately postponed because of leaks in roofs! The U16s and U14s both played against Malton U14s and U16s in their sixth match of the Junior Yorkshire Regional League. Convincing wins for both teams 14s 58-16 and 16s 68-11. Three more games each to play in this league, two more wins will confirm a place in National Club Finals where the best 18 teams in the country play tournament netball over two days.  It is getting exciting! The U16 and U14 West Yorkshire teams had their games postponed due to a leak in the ceiling at Huddersfield University.

Birkenshaw Belles U12 will have slept well coming up against our super U12(1) who beat them 66-3 which might be a league record! Belles were positive and didn’t give up though, so credit to them.  U12(2) played YMCA coming out with a resounding 21-13 win. The U12(3) faced Huddersfield Giants (1) resulting in a narrow loss of two goals. A very smart photo on Facebook of our U12(4) team today despite their loss 14-8 to Yorkshire Terriers.  These photos are setting new standards! In Hi5 an experienced YMCA team turned up to beat our Hi5(2) 30-2 keep trying girls. The Hi5 (1) girls played Twinkles losing 7-10 – but let’s remember these athletes are young!

Moving into seniors, there was an excellent win for our Senior Regional team comprising of players all 18 and under who beat Sheffield Open 52-44. Lots of experience on their side versus agility and speed on ours. Superb achievement, leaving us second in the table with one game to play and all to play for, let’s go! The Northern squad travelled to the East coast to play Hull Chevrons but were thwarted by another leaking sports hall as the match was called off by the umpire due to safety concerns. Two games left and in second place in the league. Finally our Prem Squad had a very early start and facing a very strong Turnford side and only coming up 7 goals short. Importantly though, our Prem squad have secured enough points to stay up in Prem 1 for next season, which is excellent.

Wider netball update

Lots going on as usual! Some of our former players preparing for important BUCS Semi Finals this week. Looks an interesting draw and should be some good games. Plenty to follow in Superleague and Australia/NZ as there is a build up to the World Cup.  Quite a few of our players are preparing for National Schools Finals this weekend, in Hertfordshire, let’s hope that the weather improves and we don’t add to our injury tally!

Rhinos U19 squad, which had ten of our players in it on Saturday, notched up an excellent win against Mavericks. In possibly an unprecedented situation, the Rhinos vs Mavs one goal win in December was disallowed because of an error in the scoring. Despite an appeal, Rhinos had to replay the game last weekend, so it was a high stakes game. Rhinos played well and secured a nine goal victory, which was a great result and leaves Rhinos 4th in the table. Good luck to those in NPL comps this next few weeks at u19 and U21.


IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM WYJNL COLLEAGUES

We are putting this message out literally as it has been sent to us, given its importance. Coaches will talk to athletes about this at sessions this week, and there will be a reminder on Facebook. This advice does tie in with our code of conduct in our handbook, and the images in there, here is a link: https://www.leedsathleticnetballclub.org.uk/club-info.html

Dear Club Contacts
 
The WYJNL Committee are constantly working to improve the development of netball in our County.  As we are all involved in clubs ourselves we are aware of the challenges you face with not only developing players technically and tactically but also in educating players, team officials/bench players and parents/supporters on acceptable and unacceptable behaviours on match day.  We appreciate you as Club leads may not always be at matches and this could mean match day responsibilities may fall on others involved in your clubs. 
 
Respecting umpires is not a request it is essential.   Below is some important information that we need you to share with your players, team officials/bench players and parents/supporters.  Further information and more details can be found in the INF rule book 2018 Edition.
 
1.       Players on court are expected to respond to rulings made by the umpires and adjust their play accordingly.   Please remind players;
a.       A caution (followed by a penalty) is the umpire advising a player that the behaviour specified must change. 
b.      A player who does not change her behaviour after a caution will be issued with a warning.  Warnings may be given even if no caution has been issued.
c.       A suspension of 2 minutes will follow a warning if the behaviour specified doesn’t change.  In the case of dangerous play or misconduct a player may be suspended without a warning if the umpire considers the action justified.
d.      A player who is ordered off will take no further part in the match.  While this normally follows a suspension or warning this is not prerequisite if the umpire considers such action is justified.
 
2.       Team Officials and Bench Players must not;
a.       Criticise the umpires or their decisions.
b.      Use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.
c.       Use excessive noise or interruption.
d.      Encourage foul play by on-court players.
 
Team officials and bench players can be given a Caution, Warning and umpires can give an Order for the person’s removal from the playing enclosure.
 
The WYJNL insist that parents/supporters must not approach the umpire during or after a fixture however a player with a coach or captain can approach the umpire at quarter times for clarification.

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO

As a further issue, please be reminded that photography and videos including the opposition are not allowed unless prior permission has been granted by the opposition, both umpires and the league. At least one week notice must be given to allow the necessary communication to be made.  As parents and players all you have to do is ask Susie Stead or your team admin to obtain the permissions for you, that is one e mail. Please do not cause embarrassment by turning up with your camera on the day and expect to be given the go ahead. 

And finally, some of these things might seem onerous or condescending, but they are usually there for good reason, such as safeguarding or recruiting and retaining volunteers. If clubs don’t comply with these expected standards, then teams could lose points or be asked to leave leagues. Sorry!


Leeds Athletic Netball Club
www.leedsathleticnetballclub.org.uk
@LeedsAthleticNC

​Before we start with performance this week, let's just give a shout out to our injured players. We are sending best wishes to you guys for a speedy and sustained return to the court and the Club. 

Performance this week, some of which can also be found on Facebook! Thank you to people putting up reports!

Let’s start with our fabulous U12 (1) team who travelled to High Wycombe on Saturday to pitch themselves against the best in the country, competing in the ENG Sports UK National Finals. They started a little slowly with a 5-8 loss to Matrix NC. They put up a hard fight against eventual runners up, Turnford losing 5-6 following a disallowed goal! The final group match was v Parkside a convincing 8-0 win. Through to the play offs they met old rivals, Kingston Phoenix who had previously beaten them in the Regional heat our girls won 8-2. Through to the quarter finals v mighty Tameside who were in a league of their own, so they had to accept defeat 2-16 to the eventual winners of the Tournament.

Overall, a massive achievement to make the quarter finals of this National competition. The girls had the most amazing experience and it really brought them closer as a team.  Really proud of you girls clearly in a tough group initially. Many thanks to our dedicated and experience coach John Hipshon the driving force behind the U12s, to our team admin Kathryn Dyer and our brilliant parents. 

Also on Saturday our West Yorkshire Seniors had a rare loss 36-43,to Harrogate Phoenix.  

It was a great win for our Netball Nights team on Wednesday 25-17 against Farsley Celtic, this talented junior team supported by coach Libby Hodgkiss are holding their own in this adult league. 
On Sunday the club had nine fixtures. 

A big game for our Prem team against Worcester Reds placed one position below us in the league but it was a storming LANC side who were clear winners taking the match 58-42. A close game to begin with, but the squad pulling away in 3rd quarter. Well done everyone.

Again in Seniors the super speedy Northern girls ensured a win against Oaksway the final score was 52-37. Oaksway didn’t give up and came back in last quarter, but we had a big enough lead.

In the U16s the West Yorkshire squad continued their winning ways with a tough match against YMCA (1) resulting in a 23-23 draw, so the league positions remain the same with Leeds in first and YMCA with second place for now and four games to go. The U14s West Yorkshire squad beat Yorkshire Terriers, starting off really strong and ending 31-17.
There were three U12 teams playing today in the West Yorkshire League. Firstly our ENGU12 quarter finalists U12(1) pushed equal first in the league Wakefield Wildcats(1) and posted an amazing 40-10 score against them, then went to Pizza Express to celebrate. The U12(2) hoping to hold on to their third position in the league behind LANC(1) and Wakefield Wildcats(1) took the game to Wakefield Phoenix(1) and won 8-3. The U12(3) v Birkenshaw Belles (1) had a great win 25-6. lots of things finally came together and they worked as a fantastic team. Thanks to coach Becky Hewson helping these young athletes in a tricky U12 league. 

Our Hi5 girls were pitched against each other this week, it was exciting but tense pre match. The final result was 19-3 to LANC(1) but there was some great play and super teamwork from both sides. 

Looking ahead, busy one next weekend, all three senior teams are in action on Sunday, plus Junior Regional games and lots of Junior WY games too.

Great to see so many of our athletes on the pitch at Rhinos for the opening game at the new stadium. New activities announced including Shooting Workshop with Dan Ryan, Camps and Masterclasses. Get booked on via the website if you want to improve your game. Recommend Hubs and Minis to friends! 

Hope some of you managed to get to the Netball Europe competition at Huddersfield this weekend, sounds like a great tournament. 

The Sky game on TV tmrw features our former player Lucy Harris in the Stars side! 
Leeds Athletic Netball Club
​
www.leedsathleticnetballclub.org.uk
@LeedsAthleticNC