Perse netball team qualify for national finals
The Perse U16 netball team are heading to the England Netball National Schools Finals after finishing runners-up in the East qualifiers.
Despite losing their opening game to The Broxbourne School 14-7 in the tournament at Stanborough School, the girls responded in style by winning their remaining pool matches.
This run included victories over Bedford Girls’ School (11-10), Norwich School (10-5), St Clere’s School (16-5), Ipswich School (15-9) and The FitzWimarc School (12-6) as they came second in the group to move into the semi-finals.
The team, who recently enjoyed a pre-season training session with former England star Sasha Corbin, defeated Sandringham School 15-12 to set up a final with Brentwood School, where they were narrowly edged out 10-9 after extra time.
However, with the top two teams from each region going through, they can now look forward to the national finals at Oundle School next month.
Perse Acting Head of Netball Millie Diss said: “The girls played phenomenally well and left absolutely everything they had on the court. Their communication was second to none which brought them together as a team, fighting for every single ball.
“They adjusted so well to the windy conditions, kept calm and absolutely smashed the matches. Their composure and determination on the day brought it home for them. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Qualification also means groups from the current Year 11 girls’ cohort have now reached national finals across the school’s core team sports during their time at The Perse, having also competed in the Lady Taverners indoor cricket finals in Year 8 and the England Hockey schools finals in Year 9.
This is a fantastic achievement for our school netball programme and, in addition to earlier qualification for national finals in indoor cricket (as Year 8s) and hockey (as Year 9s), highlights what an outstanding group of female athletes we have in our current Year 11
Glenn Kirkham, Perse Director of Sport
Meanwhile, the Perse U14 netball team finished fourth in their pool at the regional finals, but earned three wins along the way against Ipswich (8-4), Wymondham College (9-4) and St Clere’s (13-3).
Coach Nicky Bareham was pleased with their performance, adding: “The girls worked extremely hard all day against some tough opposition.”
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