by Charlotte Southall (Head of Netball)
National Competition
Preseason began early in September, with U14, U15, U16 and U19 squads assembling to prepare for both national tournaments and cup competitions. In November, our U14, U16 and U19 teams competed in the Berkshire County round of the England Netball National Schools competition, facing strong opposition and valuable early-season tests.
The U19 squad faced a challenging campaign, with illness and injury sadly impacting on their day, as they faced the withdrawal of several players. Despite this, the group demonstrated real resilience and acquitted themselves well, finishing 5th, but challenging some top schools and only losing to the eventual winners by two goals. This provided an excellent opportunity for other players to step up and represent the school, gaining invaluable experience at a high level, which set the squad up well for the season ahead.
The U16s experienced a tough tournament day, but it proved to be a crucial development opportunity. Several U15 players were given the opportunity to step up into the squad, gaining important exposure to tournament netball that will benefit the programme in the future.
The U14s also had a positive experience, coming together as a team just weeks earlier and embracing their first exposure to this level of competition. The squad gained valuable tournament experience and court time, laying foundations for future success.
Cup Competitions
The 1st VII, U16 and U15 squads all entered the Sisters in Sport National Netball Shield. Following last year’s narrow one goal semi-final loss, the 1st VII built on that momentum to deliver an outstanding cup run this season. They progressed all the way to the National Finals, held in Loughborough University, recording impressive victories over: Queen Anne’s School, Sir William Borlase, Farnborough 6th Form College, Farmor’s School and Wycombe Abbey.
On finals day, the team, led superbly by captain Abby (I) and ably supported by vice captains Alice (M) and Emma (M), performed with composure and quality. They beat Churchers College in their first ‘final four’ fixture to progress to the’ super final’ and ultimately finished as National Runners-Up (2nd place), losing out only to a very strong Cardinal Newman College side. This was an exceptional achievement and a landmark moment, qualifying for a national final for the first time.
The U16 and U15’s also enjoyed good cup runs, with both age groups progressing to the third round, whilst the U14 squad got their first taste of national competition making their debut in the Sister in Sports National Trophy.
Dubai Tour
During the October half term, 20 Sixth Form athletes embarked on an unforgettable tour to the UAE. The group enjoyed a fantastic experience, competing in a range of fixtures against local schools and clubs, while also immersing themselves in the rich culture of the country. A highlight of the trip was a cultural excursion exploring the souks, where the students gained a deeper understanding of local traditions, culture, and religion. Beyond the competition, the tour provided a valuable opportunity for the players to strengthen their connections and develop as a team.
There were some outstanding achievements to celebrate. The 1st VII secured an impressive 2nd place at the Platinum Netball Festival, remaining unbeaten throughout and only missing out on the title by goal difference. Meanwhile, the 2nd VII delivered a remarkable “comeback of the century,” going on to win the Plate division.
A special thank you goes to Bella (J) and Imo (M) for their leadership of the 2nd VII, and to Aine (I) and Purdy (J) for captaining the 1st VII with distinction. Congratulations also to the 1st VII MVP, Stella (I), and to Imo (M) for their outstanding performances across the tour. Overall, it was a highly successful and memorable trip that will no doubt have a lasting impact on all involved.
Player Achievements
This season has seen continued individual success alongside notable team performances.
A huge congratulations to Purdy (J), who not only represented the Super League Franchise London Pulse U19 in the National Performance League, but was also named Vice Captain, an outstanding achievement at the highest level for her age group.
Further recognition goes to:
- Aine (I), Betsy (K) and Georgie (J) – representing their clubs at South Region level.
- Ava (M) and Charlotte (M) – competing strongly within their respective County leagues.
These achievements highlight the strength and depth of netball talent across the school.
Lent Term
The Lent term has been another highly successful and competitive period for netball, with strong participation and performances across all age groups. Some highlights include:
- 20 teams regularly competing in school fixtures, equating to nearly 200 students playing the sport on a weekly basis.
- A 14% increase in the number of fixtures played in 2025/26.
The 1st VII had an exceptional term, highlighted by:
- Reaching the National Finals and finishing 2nd in Tier 2 National Netball Shield.
- Entering the highly competitive Seaford Tournament for the first time and finishing as Plate Runners-Up.
- Remaining unbeaten in block fixtures, demonstrating consistency and dominance across the season.
Across the programme, there have been significant signs of progress and development:
- The U16A team achieved a notable draw against Wellington College, a significant improvement from last year’s 20-goal loss.
- The U14s, after a challenging start to the season, showed excellent growth. By successfully applying training principles they finished strongly with wins in their final two matches. A special mention to senior player Flo (J) for sharing her netball expertise and helping Miss Lewis to develop this group, whilst rehabbing from a serious injury suffered on our Dubai tour in October.
Team of the Week Recognition
Our ‘Team of the Week’ has continued to celebrate individual excellence and consistency. This year, the players with the highest number of appearances were:
- Willow (J), Holly (I), Ottilie (L), Sienna (L) and Riya (M)
Their repeated recognition reflects both performance and commitment throughout the term.
House Netball
House netball is always a highlight of the netball calendar, when bright colours (not always skys!), noise, laughter and competitive spirit fill the netball courts. This year was no different, with houses battling it out across three fixtures to challenge for the house netball title! In the junior section Palmer (I) claimed the honour, whilst in the seniors it went to Stanley (M). Overall, it was Palmer who came out of top and were named our 2026 house netball champions!
This has been a standout season for girls’ netball, marked by historic success at national level and continued growth across all age groups.
The 1st VII’s achievement of National Runners-Up is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and ambition within the programme. Equally important has been the development seen throughout the younger age groups, with players gaining experience, confidence, and a strong understanding of the game.
A huge thank you goes to all staff for their continued dedication, and to the players for their commitment, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the season. We look forward to building on this success in the year ahead.
