Netball Superleague Starlets
Three QE students - Rachel Bird, Becca Eldrington and Rachel Dauber - are sampling the exciting new Netball Superleague with Team Northumbria. The Superleague is a national league involving 10 top teams as well as the best English and world players and it is really taking off in popularity now that there is coverage of live games and highlights on Sky Sports.
Over the summer, Rachel, Becca and Rachel attended trials for Team Northumbria’s youth squad and all three were selected. The youth team play matches against the other Superleague youth teams prior to the Superleague matches, meaning they play at the same venue and in front of the crowd in the build up to the main game.
In addition, Rachel Bird who is captain the youth team has also been selected to be part of the full Superleague squad. Although she doesn’t expect to play any games this season, she trains with the senior team every week and has recently played for Team Northumbria’s partner club, Oaksway Seniors in the National Premier League – essentially the second best league in the country. Playing at this level, she has been up against many Superleague players and England internationals. She has impressed so much that she has played the last 2 full games and was named player of the match in Oaksway’s last game against Academy from London.
Mark Scott, teacher of PE at QE, comments:
"The girls’ achievement is fabulous. To be involved in the best standard netball in the country is a marvellous experience at their age. Their talent is unquestionable but their commitment is even more impressive, considering the amount of training and travelling required – they really have to live and breathe netball!"
November 19, 2008