NETBALL

1st Vii

Squad

Captain: A. Kelly (A)

M. Blowers (G), G. Broadhurst-Comyn (F), C. Burton-Rowe (M), A. Dabbs (A), J. Langley (M), R. Ogden (F), P. Ross (A), S. Shield (G), O. Wenham (M)

Also played: A. Clarke (F)

This was a brand-new squad for the 2022-2023 season with just two players having represented the 1st VII in a previous match. But we have been fortunate to welcome several Lower Sixth players new to the School, each having contributed much to the team’s success this year.

There has been encouraging progress with specific development in unit play up and down the court, but it took time to gain momentum and often player availability, the weather and injuries scuppered consistency on a weekly basis.

Ava D and Millie B made a dynamic duo with their linking drives to the circle edge and Millie in particular stepped up to the physical nature of 1st VII netball impressively, even though sometimes it seemed she was on the floor more than on her feet. Such was her dedication to win back possession!

The team have been captained excellently by long-standing netball stalwart, Alice K. This was, finally, her year at the reins, with her competitive nature being tested in several nailbitingly close matches which tipped to our opponents more often than we would have liked. But Alice maintained her grounded, calm but assertive style on court - often relied upon to rally the squad when the score lines was tight. We arrived at the Regional Finals as underdogs, our qualification by goaldifference from the County Finals in the back of our minds; but drawing our opening match against the eventual runners-up lifted the girls’ confidence and they were buoyed too by the fantastic parental support from the side-lines. Missing out on progressing to the Semi-Finals by just one goal, the team continued in true Repton fashion by winning their final match against a solid Ecclesbourne team and, although emotions were high, I was extremely proud of Alice and the entire squad.

Alice, Jenna L, Gracie B-C and Charlotte B-R are all gaining experience in adult netball leagues outside school, with Charlotte progressing through the Superleague Loughborough Lightning pathway. She made her debut for the U19 Loughborough Lightning competition squad in February 2023 against Manchester Thunder, winning 69-52 and the Repton team have gained much from her top-level experience.

The 2022-23 Players’ Player is Charlotte B-R and my 1st VII Player of the Year award goes to Millie B. Congratulations to them both.

I am confident that with the solid foundation of this year’s training and hard work, the 2023-24 season will be bright. I would like to thank the two Upper Sixth leavers, Alice and Polly R, for their huge contribution to Repton netball and wish them the best of luck for their future endeavours.

2nd Vii

Squad

Captain: I. Canenti (M)

L. Burgin-Rawson (G), A. Clarke (F),

A. Corner (M), J. Grace (F), M. Hinds (M),

I. Hobson (F), J. Hood (M), M. Oborn (G),

L. Ottewell (M),

Also played: F. Wedgwood (A)

P11 W2 D1 L8

Denstone W 26-3

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar L 11-24

Uppingham L 22-44

Trent D 25-25

Oundle L 3-21

Stowe L 15-18

Rugby L 9-29

Trent L 18-19

Oakham L 17-32

Shrewbury L 17-22

Denstone W 17-22

3rd Vii

Squad

S. Cheffins (G), J. Edwards (A),

H. Harte (G), O. Ingham (M),

B. Purvis (M), M. Storey (M),

L. Walsh (G)

Also played: B. Chihota (G),

E. Clark (M), R. English (F), J. Grace (F),

G. Hiatt (F), T. Hinds (M), J. Hood (M),

H. Morgan (F), M. Oborn (G),

L. Ottewell (M), F. Wedgwood (A),

F. Yip (F)

Although this may not be conventional wisdom, I feel that the mark of a good school netball team is seen in the players’ attitude, both on court and off. This season’s 3rd VII stalwarts

It was a pleasure to watch this group of girls from different year groups bond as a team, progress throughout the season, and gain so much confidence in their own ability. They must take credit for their attitude, resilience, but most importantly the way they played each game, showing great sportsmanship. They were very lucky to have a team with such versability, with so many players being able to play in different positions, displayed by this year's group of Upper Sixth. This was evident in the match versus Uppingham, where Tilly H stepped up into the GK position from WD for the first time and found her own. Against a tall GS, she got her fingertips to every ball, denying the GS any goal-scoring opportunity. Determination like this was a prominent feature in all games throughout the term and throughout the squad. The scores do not reflect how close the contests were, with the team tending to build up momentum slowly through the games.

The highlight of the season were the Trent home and away fixtures. Playing in Trent's sports hall and with a large crowd behind the opposition, the first match was neck and neck into the final quarter. The team rose to the challenge and also the pressure, with the partnership of Ava C and Matilda O proving unstoppable, seldom missing a shot. The interceptions and marking from the defensive circle of Arabella C and Leah B-R were timed perfectly, breaking down Trent’s attacking circle. The match ended in a draw, leaving it all to play for in the return match at Repton. The girls knew it would be a close game, this time battling with the wind. Isabella C led by example, calm under pressure and composed on the ball. Jessica H was all over the court making crucial interceptions in defence, feeding accurate balls into the circle for the shooters. Unfortunately, the final whistle didn’t go our way, losing out by one goal, but the girls should be so proud of their performance. It was fitting that the team ended the season on a high with a final win against Denstone. PLS proved themselves to have exactly the right approach: willing to fight hard for the win, whilst also laughing at the challenges presented by my “coaching”. They were supported by a wide assortment of extras, coerced from both the 2nd VII and the 4th VII, with the occasional footballer thrown in for good luck. I am grateful to everyone who stepped in! With the exception of a hideous loss against Rugby, every match was close, even if that meant having to switch players out of position to ensure a fair challenge. Who knew that Harriet H was so good at shooting?! The captaincy was shared between our Upper Sixth pupils: they have been superb ambassadors for both Repton and the game, and I hope that they all continue to play in some form in the future.

MKC