Although wins were sadly non-existent, the girls were never short of team spirit. They always battled through to the end, even in extremely difficult matches and conditions. They played exceedingly well against some challenging teams, with sound sportsmanship. Some of those matches, despite facing extremely talented teams, were very close. In particular, Dean Close School just managed to pick up a few final goals in the last quarter, bringing the final score to 14‑10 in their favour. Later in the term, Bradfield College scored a goal in the last 20 seconds of the match, stealing the win from College to make the final score a draw at 14‑14. All the players should be commended for their wonderful spirit and adversity in the face of difficult matches. For some girls, it was their first encounter with netball. There were several players of particular note: Annabel, a strong player, able to adapt to different positions; Jemima, who had honed her shooting skills by the end of the season and rarely missed her shots; Daria who adapted her basketball skills to the game and always put in 100% effort to both the practice and matches, being awarded Player of the Match on more than one occasion; and Paola, who always played with such dogged determination, which was recognized and also earned her the title of Player of the Match. Those girls are by no means the only remarkable players; everyone on the team was outstanding in both performance and manner, and all should be extremely proud.
Miss Helen Davies
Yearlings A
Record: played 14; won 12; lost 2; goals for 322; goals against 208; goal difference 114
Bromsgrove squad take victory against both teams. However, the team’s new combinations were tested out and they did well to take their first victory 28‑18 against Malvern. Losing Olivia, their captain, through injury earlier on meant other combinations needed to be re-worked and the group continually worked hard to please. It showed in their games, where they demonstrated some fast-paced and exciting netball. They went on to secure some excellent wins against tough opposition such as Clifton College, King’s Worcester and competitors in the South West Regional Schools Competition: Wycliffe, The Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Dean Close School. Precision feeds by Emily and Flo ensured the shooters Paige and Annabelle were well supplied. The shooters did not disappoint and produced some excellent conversions with Annabelle really stepping up game by game. Defensively, the new unit combinations at the back of Abby, Mollie, Yasmin and Kaela worked tirelessly at times to shut down the oppositions’ opportunities and they did that well. It helped them to secure more wins: against St Edward’s School, Oxford, where they had their biggest victory of the season (42‑16); and against Marlborough College, a school that had made it through to the National Schools’ netball finals (27‑16). Their final fixture, against Bradfield College, saw the welcome return to full fitness of their captain. That gave the team a real boost to end the season, and more options to put out. Whatever the combinations, the team continued to dominate and played some really exciting quick-release netball. Their understanding and team processes developed strongly as the season progressed, with a great understanding on attacking centre passes and defending the oppositions. The squad has huge potential with Olivia being selected for England Netball’s South West Regional Academy, and Paige, Emily and Flo being selected on to the Gloucestershire Netball County Academy programme. They are a team who have excelled and should be very proud of their results.
Honor McFarlane (3rd, W), Verity Peterken (3rd, W), Annabel Slatter (3rd, A), Octavia Slatter (3rd, W), Evie Webb (3rd, Ch) The season proved to be a mixed one for the girls and one where they were on a rather steep learning curve. I cannot fault the girls for their enthusiasm and determination to do well, often in the face of tough opposition. At no point on the court did they allow their heads to drop or their level of commitment to fail.
SPORT
(4th, Q), Paola Ramos Contreras (4th, W), Libby Haddock (4th, Ch), Jemima Cooper (4th, Q), Laura Morris (4th, W), Lola-Lou Torode (4th, W), Elisabeth Trachtmann (4th, Ch), Daria Romanyuk (4th, W), Daisy Wildman (4th, Ch)
Over the season we played in ten fixtures and scored an impressive 134 goals, confidently put through the net by Honor, Verity and Annabella. We put together a hat trick of wins in the middle of the season, beating The Cheltenham Ladies’ College 15‑10, Dean Close School an impressive 21‑9 and St Edward’s School, Oxford, 27‑20. We were narrowly beaten by Bromsgrove School by one goal (with the rivals scoring in the last nine seconds of the match) and Malvern College by three goals. In the matches against Rugby School and Marlborough College we started really well and were in the lead after the first quarter, but were unable to maintain that when they started to play with more fluency. In both of those matches the defence positions of Annabel, Georgina, Evie and Phoebe were certainly worked hard. A final close match against Bradfield College, which went to the last quarter, rounded off an enjoyable and fulfilling season for all concerned. Players’ Player: Phoebe Barnes Coaches’ Player: Honor McFarlane Most Improved Player: Annabel Slatter.
Mrs Kate Hornsby
Yearlings C
Record: played 9; won 4; lost 5; goals for 100; goals against 154; goal difference 54
Miss Gilly Salter
Yearlings B
Record: played 10; won 3; lost 7; goals for 134; goals against 181; goal difference 47 Squad: Georgie Elliott (3rd, A), Rebecca Smith (3rd, A), Poppy Pearey (3rd, Ch), Lanta Thynne (3rd, Ch), Georgia Mitchell (3rd, Q), Valeria Popeta (3rd, Q), Gemma Taylor-Baggs (3rd, Q), Isabella Channing (3rd, W), Caroline Daly (3rd, W), Tilly Fletcher (3rd, W), Eva Palmer (3rd, W)
Squad: Olivia Mitchell (captain, 3rd, W), Florence Needham (3rd, W), Emily Drysdale (3rd, W), Annabelle Rigg (3rd, W), Abigail Aitken (3rd, Ch), Kaela Wilson (3rd, W), Mollie Lyle (3rd, Q), Yasmin Mayes (3rd, A), Paige Baker (3rd, A) The team had an excellent season, demonstrating great work ethic and being highly motivated; they were a great squad to coach. Their first fixture was a double header against Bromsgrove School and Malvern College, and it was a hard-fought game that saw a very strong
Squad: Phoebe Barnes (3rd, Q), Annabella Bifulco (3rd, Q), Ellie Davies (3rd, Q), India Deakin (3rd, W), Georgina Grimwade (3rd, A),
Despite a close loss against Malvern College (11‑13), the season started strongly with convincing wins against King’s Worcester (32‑8), Wycliffe (6‑4), The Cheltenham Ladies’ College (12‑3) and a narrow victory against St Edward’s School, Oxford, (19‑17). The first half of term saw significant improvements made in shooting (particularly Rebecca), defence (Valeria was formidable at preventing opponents into the D), and teamwork for the entire squad.
97