Double County Champions in National Schools Netball Competition

The U14, U16 and U19 netball squads from King Edward’s School have all been in action recently in the local qualifying stages of the National Schools Competition, with two squads - the U16 and U19 teams – going on to win the County Champion titles, thereby securing themselves a place in the Regional Final in the New Year.  

Organised by England Netball, the National Schools Competition is the largest school competition in the netball calendar.

The KES U19 team kicked off their campaign on 7 November, winning the County round of the competition, and in doing so became County Champions for the fifth consecutive year (and the seventh time out of the last nine years).  Their results were as follows:

Pool Games:
V Wellsway                            Won 11-7
V Bristol Grammar School     Won 9-5
V Clifton High                         Won 13-3
V Royal High                           Lost 10-11
V Redmaids                             Won 11-5

Semi Final
V Clifton College                    Won 8-5

Final
V Royal High                           Won 10-8

Commenting on the U19’s performance, Louisa Gwilliam, Head of Netball at King Edward’s said: “I could not be prouder of the players’ performances throughout the tournament. They played calm, controlled netball which resulted in some great team performances. It has been an exciting journey for this group of KES netballers who thoroughly deserve to retain their County title and gain themselves a place at the Regionals in January.”

Last week it was the turn of the U14 & U16 squads to play in the County round of the competition, having already successfully played through the Area competition.  Both teams fought hard, producing some excellent team performances.  The U14 team narrowly missed out on a place in the Regional Final, however, the U16 squad maintained their unbeaten run from the Area qualifying round to match the U19 squad in taking the County title.  Their results were as follows:

V Bristol Grammar School     Won 13-8
V Ralph Allen                  Won 16-4
V Clifton College               Won 16-1
V Redmaids                     Won 13-10
V St Gregory’s                Won 13-7

“It has been another exciting start to the netball season at KES. The U16 squad played with skill and determination to maintain a clean scorecard against some strong opposition. Netball in the area is extremely competitive and we are so pleased to see Netball at KES continue to maintain such a strong position in the South West, as one of the most consistently performing schools.’ Head of Netball Louisa Gwilliam. 

About the National School Competition

• The National Schools Competition, in association with the British Army, is the biggest schools competition in the netball calendar.
• The 2020 National Schools Finals will take place at Stanborough School, Welwyn Garden City, on Saturday 14 March.
• The competition consists of three age groups; U14, U16 & U19 and commences at either an Area or County Round, with schools finishing as winners or runners up in each age group progressing through to the regional round of the competition.
• The winners and runners up from each of the nine regions take place in the National Finals which take place in March every year.