Withington has ended the winter sports season on a high with three netball teams winning national titles, and a number of other trophies secured at different levels.

Our U13 and U15 squads won their respective finals at the Independent Schools National Netball Cup, held at the University of Hertfordshire on Friday 3rd March. Withington teams played in two of the three age group finals and both teams faced Cheadle Hulme School. The U13s won 34-33 and the U15s won 55-45. The Most Valuable Player awards were granted to U15 Captain Ava and U13 Vice-Captain Amelie.

Withington U13s win the Independent Schools National Netball Cup

Withington U15s win the Independent Schools National Netball Cup

The U14 team also have a national title upon winning the Sisters n Sport Cup, a week after narrowly finishing as second in the country at England Netball’s National Schools Final where they led the group stage with a 3.30 goal average but finished in second, losing just one game by one goal to the eventual championship winners: Putney High School. The result of the final match was 13-8 to the London side. Player of the tournament was awarded to goal keeper, Emilie.

In the SnS final, played on Thursday 23rd March at the neutral ground of Bromsgrove School near Birmingham, they beat Hurstpierpoint College 52-33, and Player of the Match was awarded to Sophia. In preparation for their two national final fixtures, the team played a special game against Manchester Thunder’s U14 pathway team of which several Withington pupils are also members.

U14 placed second at England Netball’s National Schools Final

Miss Jennifer Carter, Acting Head of PE, said: “We are immensely proud of our players who worked tirelessly and supported each other throughout the season. These teams have made Withington history with the most successful season on the netball court achieved. The team played their hearts out in every fixture, they were dedicated to practice, and showed great showmanship and strength at each tournament. They were excellent ambassadors of Withington every step of the way; they should be proud of themselves for their exceptional achievement. Huge thanks go to the parents who have travelled to support the players across the country.”

Elsewhere, the U12s and U14s are county champions and the U16 team finished as runners-up in their age group in the same competition.

Withington offers opportunities to play both competitive and friendly sport. During Feel Fab Feb, the Sixth Form team played a charity match against MGS Year 13 pupils winning 17-7. In March, 27 Year 7 pupils enjoyed an afternoon of friendly games against Ealing Fields High School, London. Three WGS teams faced the London-side’s groups comprising Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils. WGS won all three games making for a joyful afternoon as Esme writes: “Everyone played extremely well. Throughout the game we played out of position which was challenging but despite that, we all played brilliantly. The player of the match was Melissa, and it was very well deserved.”