U16 Netball
U15 Netball
The season started well for the U16 Netball team as we were Runners Up in our own PGS tournament. Here, we developed partnerships and unit work, gelling well with the U15s who were to join us for the National Squad. Training was solid with a good turnout each week as we prepared for our first aim of the season – the county rounds.
by 1 goal, then a 7 all draw with The Abbey - in both games we started poorly but made a spirited comeback. The final pool match against Brighton College was too much of a mountain to climb having again started badly. We finished 3rd in our pool but were not disheartened as we felt we had succeeded in our own personal aims and we played the best that we could.
We played extremely well and were beginning to form a wellrounded team, which made us the best team in Hampshire. Our next goal of the season was being successful at the Regional Rounds in January. With sub suits and woolly hats, we were ready to brave the cold and play; starting well, winning our first 3 group matches convincingly. In our next three pool games we faced tough opponents; firstly, Dr Challoner’s, where we lost
The second half of the season suffered due to the mix of mock exams and Year 11 studies, netball coming second place for our girls. However we still trained and played matches, winning three of the last five games. Overall, a good season for the U16s.
Flo Stow
‘We played extremely well and were beginning to form a well-rounded team, which made us the best team in Hampshire.’
U13 Netball Report
U12 Netball This year’s netball season has been fantastic! With over 20 girls turning up to training on a Friday evening, the effort and enthusiasm shown by all of the girls was great to see. This being our first netball season at senior school, we all had to learn to gel as a team. This is never easy, especially when you’re used to having different players around you. However, after a couple of training sessions we started playing really well together.
‘If success was rated on enthusiasm, we were definitely winners.’ Training at Mountbatten Centre had its tricky moments. We didn’t always have all the right equipment in the right place at the right time; in fact, there were some occasions, despite Miss Cox’s very best efforts, where we had no equipment at all. Confusion over bookings found us playing round some very determined badminton players, shooting into football goals and passing among baton twirlers. We were completely undaunted. In fact our numbers kept growing to an all-time high of 45 at training; all enthusiastic, determined and utterly committed, led by two brilliant captains, Amy Stokely and Serena Graham. It was a building year, trying new ideas, improving individual skills and developing team tactics. All four teams enjoyed huge success, with every girl representing the school. Special credit must go to our B team who settled so well together and showed an unprecedented passion to improve and were rewarded by winning every match. Everyone has poured so much energy into this season; we’ve played hard and learnt much, and next year we are going to come back stronger and faster – and hopefully a lot taller! Suzanne Gardner
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The B team have had an excellent season, winning the majority of their games. The B team was captained by Rebecca Arnold, GA. The C team also flourished, again winning most of their matches. The A team over all had a great season, the highlight being our victory over Westbourne House, a tough team to beat! Everyone who played gave it everything and it was a greatly deserved win. Our coach this season was Pete and I would like to thank him for being such a support to the team. He was a great coach and helped make the season a memorable one! By the end of season all teams showed a high level of game play, making next season look very encouraging. Suzanne Gardner
‘By the end of season all teams showed a high level of game play, making next season look very encouraging.’
The U15s have had the most amazing season. It all started at the first Tuesday night training, where we set targets, including ‘bring a hairband’ and ‘learn to do the splits.’ We had many ‘interesting’ sessions, some of which concluded in players lying on the floor (Filippa is your typical example of this!) or having a ‘special’ guest, which turned out to be Mr Dossett. We also had the basketball influence of Carly Storm, our resident American! She will be missed when she heads back to the USA. Our first match showed that the U15s are pretty awesome. We had motivational and instructive team talks from Ella Tusler, and many players moved position or team, making a huge impact (Ella Davis and Filippa Furniss challenged spots in the A team, and Sophie Clarke was the ‘versatile’ player of the squad!). Also, during the season Maisie Sharpe was selected to play for Team South and was asked to trial for the England U17 squad, which is incredible. As individuals the U15s worked on skills and fitness, with many players improving significantly prior to the school season starting because they play for clubs. This allowed our units, and thus teams, to work well together. The shooting pairings were particularly in sync, which meant almost everything the defence turned over was converted.
‘Our first match showed that the U15s are pretty awesome.’ Throughout this season, various matches were cancelled or rearranged due to weather, but for me, the two that stood out the most could not have occurred under more different conditions. Firstly, we had the beautifully sunny KES match. I seem to remember some people complaining it was “too hot to play”! If only that weather had held up… The other great match was the concluding one of the season, against Churcher’s College. It was raining hard and we played outside. However, both teams brought determination and aggression to the match (a key factor against Churcher’s,) and it was a fantastic, if a wet end to the season. Overall, the U15s would like to thank Miss Linnett for being such a brilliant coach all year; her enthusiasm has brought us together as a squad and introduced us to lots of new tactics. Bring on next season! Catriona Ellis
U14 Netball This netball season has been outstanding and very enjoyable for the U14s. On the 16th March, U14 A team made a long journey to Basildon sports village, Essex, to battle it out for the title of National Champions against 17 other schools all hoping for the same success. Previously we had won the South Region tournament to qualify for the finals. They were greeted by rain and strong winds but still managed to play at a high standard. It was also very sad that one of our strongest centre court players, Isobel Stancliffe, was injured 3 days before the tournament and was unable to play. Having been the 2nd team in PGS history to reach Nationals the pressure was on; after a long day of hard matches, it was announced that Portsmouth Grammar U14s were 9th best in the country. This is a massive achievement and all girls involved should be very proud. A huge congratulations to Isabel Boden, Meg Dennis, Alice Cheshire (captain), Isobel Stancliffe, Kira Walker, Ashleigh Dekker, Katarina Sillett, Holly Baker, Dominique Warren and Caitlin Hoddle. Also a huge thank you to Mrs Day who coached the U14s this year; she has worked so hard on all of the teams and has spent so much time on us so thank you very much. The B and C teams also had lots of success in their games. The B team (captained by Emma Dorricott) are a solid team and have shown commitment throughout the season. They have won
‘Having been the 2nd team in PGS history to reach Nationals the pressure was on; after a long day of hard matches, it was announced that Portsmouth Grammar U14s were 9th best in the country.’
numerous games and they continue to progress. Our C team have improved enormously. This was due to a keen interest in netball and a high level of commitment shown by many. With special thanks to Gemma Webb, Emma Dorricott, Charlotte Buchan-Hepburn, Katy Courtnell, Georgia Grant, Ellie Seebold, Phoebe Nisbet and Annabel Fuller for the commitment they have shown this season. However none of this would have been possible if we didn’t have fantastic and supportive coaches like Mrs Day, Miss Gardner and Pete Carter. A special thank you to them for all the time and effort they have put into the teams this year.
Alice Cheshire
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