Netballers start as they mean to go on

Our senior netball teams kicked off the 2024 season with a block fixture against Marlborough College on Saturday 13^th January and it was fantastic to have six teams playing, despite the flooded courts.

On the following Friday, we took all Lower Fourth girls over to Solihull School for A-F team fixtures; this was a fantastic opportunity for the whole year group to experience representing the School with pride on the netball court. Our First, U16A, U15A and U14A teams travelled to Wrekin to play a competitive triangular fixture against Wrekin and Shrewsbury School. This was a perfect time to try out different playing rotations ahead of the West Midlands Regional Tournament.

On Saturday 27th, we hosted Monmouth School on the freshly cleaned courts down at the Sports Fields. Our U14As and Bs, U15As and Bs and U18s and Bs very much enjoyed playing back on home ground, with the U16 Regional Squad playing as a U18B team for a final practice before the Regionals.

The highly competitive Regional Tournament took place the next day. Our U14 and U16 teams represented the School admirably, with the U14s winning their group and the U16s going through to the semi-finals as runners-up in their group. A very tough semi-final saw the U16s battling it out against a strong Bablake side goal for goal in the second half. Time was not on King’s side, and the final whistle blew with King’s in possession of the ball but one goal down. The U14s also put in a valiant effort against Edgbaston High School, keeping their heads high in a loudly supported semi-final, but unfortunately, at the final whistle they were down by four goals. Despite being disappointed not to qualify for the Nationals, all 23 girls who travelled and played can be very proud of their performances.

Monday the 29th was exciting for the U12As, as they participated in their first district tournament. They played well as a team and grew in confidence as the tournament progressed. The girls are delighted to have been crowned District Winners, having been undefeated throughout the tournament.

The next day, our U13A team travelled to Priors Field, Guildford, for a Plate fixture. The game was very close and  King’s were behind by three goals until the final quarter. With the score 29-25 to King’s at the final whistle, the U13s were delighted to have secured a place in the next round of the Plate.