In a year which has already seen a number of Bradfieldians enjoy sporting success inside and outside of the College three key members of our U16 girls’ netball team, which reached the England Netball South Regional finals back in January, have been selected to represent Vitality Netball Superleague side Surrey Storm’s academy teams.
Lower Sixth pupil Zahra (I) became the first Bradfield College player to compete in the National League, formally know at the Netball Performance League, following her selection for the U17 Surrey Storm Academy. With the nine Superleague teams and one invited team contesting the league it makes Zahra one of just 120 players in the country competing at this level.
The league is the final stage before the U17 and U19 England Netball selection so national team selectors will be at all of her games this season as she competes against teams from all over the country. The opening round of the upcoming season will take place on Saturday 3 December and, following the completion of the regular rounds, the NPL Tournament will take place in July next year to determine the league winners.
Fifth Former Lola (I) has earned selection for the U17 Surrey Storm Player Development Programme. The PDP, part of the England Player Pathway, provides a platform for the next generation of talent to make the step up to the U17 Netball Performance League so it is exciting to see Lola competing in a higher age group already.
Lower Sixth pupil Ella (I) will represent Surrey Storm in the U17 ASPIRE programme which follows the same structured programme as the other Academy athletes, helping players to improve technique, match play and technical abilities. ASPIRE provides a pathway to the Player Development Programme enabling more netballers to compete at an elite level.
It is not just our pupils who are representing Surrey Storm as Charlotte Southall, Head of Netball, has taken on the role of coach for the U17 PDP programme while also being selected to assist with the U21 Academy in the Netball Performance League.
A superb achievement for all four Bradfieldians. We can’t wait to see them joining their Bradfield teammates on our netball courts and we wish them luck for the season ahead.
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