King’s U16A Netball Team Crowned Regional Champions

King’s U16A netball team have won the West Midlands Schools Regional Tournament, after a hard-fought contest at Phoenix Collegiate School on 2^nd February.

The girls stormed through the first games of the group stage, winning their games against Wrekin College, Arthur Terry School, Wigmore School, St Joseph’s College and Queen Mary’s High. Throughout these games, the girls adapted well to many combinations on court and built on their structures and connections, showing composure in attack and being relentless in defence.

The final group game was against a strong Solihull side. The girls worked tirelessly in attack and defence, however, unfortunately couldn’t quite close the gap to beat Solihull, leaving the team second in the group and setting up a semi-final against Rugby School.

The semi-final saw a nervous start, however some lovely attacking play and full court defensive pressure resulted in the score level at half time. With a strong start to the second, connections in attack were firing and defence were making it difficult for the Rugby attack. Rugby pulled level towards the end of the game and as the final whistle went the score was a draw.

Two minutes of extra time each way followed. Our team’s defensive pressure was brilliant and resulted in the girls turning their centre. We were clinical in our through court attack and ensured this turnover went to goal, which the team then backed up by scoring off their own centre. The full court defence continued into the second half of extra time and resulted in another turnover. The grit and determination by all girls on court and the support from the girls on the sideline resulted in King’s winning in extra time and making it through to the final, gaining a place at Nationals.

With their place in the Nationals confirmed, the went into the the final against Bromsgrove to see who would be crowned Regional Champions.

The game started goal for goal. The girls were patient on the ball and ensured the centres went to goal. A number of errors were made by Bromsgrove, which King’s capitalised on through a composed and clinical attack, resulting in a half time lead.

The start of the second half again saw the game going goal for goal, but Bromsgrove had the opportunity to close the gap. The girls were still fighting hard and the lead they had created from the first half was fortunately enough to hold on to win the final 9-8 and become Regional Champions.

All 12 girls took to court throughout the day, and each put in an incredible performance. When players were off, their support and encouragement for the girls on court was amazing and showed how much of a fantastic team they are. Their hard work and determination to succeed has certainly paid off, controlling the games brilliantly throughout the day, knowing when to play it safe and when they needed to up the intensity for a momentum shift. It was a fantastic showcase of King’s netball.

The girls now move to Nationals in March, where the top 18 teams of the country compete to be crowned National Champions.

We are so proud of them all and look forward to March with great excitement.