Bedfordshire Netball News“Eastern Promise”When East-of-England netball, now officially the biggest of the nine netball regions that span England, held its end of season awards ceremony at Cambridge this weekend, Bedford netball enthusiasts travelled with hope and optimism. However, what followed far exceeded anybody’s expectations: The strength of Bedfordshire netball was once again demonstrated as the various award winners were announced to an attentive and appreciative audience from seven counties. Heading the Beds pack was Natalie Carter who won Official of the Year for her high standard of Umpiring, and the prestigious “Chris Harpham Young Volunteer of the Year” award for her work as coach and team manager at local club Cranfield. Natalie achieved all this whilst helping Team Beds to win Regional league Division 2 and so she made her third trip to the stage with her colleagues to pick up that trophy. Eleanor Durcan was a popular winner of the “Eileen Doyle trophy” for Regional Development squad trophy for Commitment and Improvement. At the club level of Regional netball, Wyvern-Grangers collected the Division 1 runners-up shield after an exceptional and unbeaten second half to their season; as mentioned Team Beds, unbeaten all season, picked up the Division 2 winners trophy; and Wyvern-Grangers U14s collected the Regional U14 runners-up shield to compliment their 9th best U14 club in all England success. This ceremony ended a highly successful East-of-England 2009-10 season for our local clubs and players. However, there is no time to rest on their laurels as all our local senior netball clubs begin their new season training this week. Local girl Eleanor DurcanLocal girl Eleanor Durcan was all smiles recently when she received an unexpected letter. Eleanor, who is one of a number of Bedford athletes selected last Autumn for the East-of-England Regional Development Netball squad of twenty four girls, has been awarded the Eileen Doyle Trophy. The award goes to the Most Improved Player for the season and it was presented by Chris Laundy, East Region Head Scout. The award comes at the end of Eleanor's second season at this level and she now looks forward optimistically to the Mavericks Youth trials in July. Eleanor plays for Team Beds, and was a key player in their recent promotion success to East Division 1, and Wyvern Grangers in the local league.
East Region TrialsHave you ever thought about playing netball at a higher level?
The Regional Club’s League, introduced four years ago to replace the County competition, has gone from strength to strength, with the East Region’s being one of the highest standard and best run leagues in the Country.
There are two Divisions in the senior league, with 10 teams in each from every county in the East (Beds, Cambs, Herts, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk) competing. There is also an U14 and U16 league too.
If you are interested in trialing for a team in the Regional League, contact details for each of the clubs can be found below, and here are details of some of our Regional Club’s trials, happening soon….
Leighton Buzzard Vipers, Open Day – 19th June, Trials – 3rd July - 10.00–12.00pm, Vandyke School, Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3DY
MK Netters, 10th June, 17th June - 7.00-9.00pm, Bletchley Courtside, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6DR
Team Beds, 17th June - 6.30-8.30pm, Bunyan Centre, Mile Road, Bedford, MK42 9TR
Ipswich Ladies, 27th June, 4th July - 9.00am-4.00pm, Copleston Sports College, Ipswich, IP4 5HD
Watford Premier, 4th July - 10.00am-12.00pm, Queens School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, WD23 2TY
Turnford, 15th June - 8.00-9.30pm, Goffs School, Goffs Lane, Cheshunt, Herts, EN7 5QW
East-of-England SportsAid Athlete of the MonthHot on the heels of her European U17 championship success with England, Loran Wyatt was both excited and honoured to be chosen as East-of-England SportsAid Athlete of the Month for March 2010 recently. Loran was recognised for her recent netball success, but also for her determination to succeed having missed out on international selection the year before. Loran is now preparing for U19 national trials, although she will still be 16 at the time of the Easter event. Loran says, " it's an honour to be chosen given the number of sports considered, and the strength of the contestants we have here in the East Region."
Loran's award is summarised on:
http://www.sportsaid.org.uk/region/eastern/athletes
England Expects!England Expects! Following the tremendous success of Kelsey Nolan last season when she became Bedford’s first Netball Youth International having played for England U17s as part of their championship winning squad, Bedford delivers again.
The high quality of Bedford’s local netball competition, and the excellent local coaching standards and support provided, were demonstrated by events at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield on December 21st 2009.
When All England Netball began their selection process in Easter 2009, thousands of young female athletes hoped for the chance of glory. As the season progressed, and after regular training camps, various squad eliminations took place as their final decisions became clear. Three young Bedford women will get their chance after England announced its U19 and U17 squads to contest the European Netball championships to be held in Belfast in March 2010.
Having missed out last season on U19 selection, Josie Huckle, a student at Harlington School and a local netball player with Team Beds of Bedford and Ampthill Netball club, was given a wild card entry into the final stage after some excellent recent performances. She needed no second invite as she vigorously took her chance during the final selection camp. She was selected as a circle defender for the U19 section.
Shaunagh Craig, a student at Sharnbrook School, and local player with Wyvern in the East of England league and Grangers in the local Bedford league, was unfortunate last season when she made squad reserve. However, it was all smiles this year as Shaunagh was selected as a circle attacker for the U17 section.
Not to be outdone, and following a serious back injury that caused her to withdraw from last season’s trials, Dame Alice Harpur School student Loran Wyatt also had lots to smile about when she was selected as a circle defender for the U17 section. Loran is a team mate of Shaunagh at both Wyvern and Grangers. Both athletes were part of the National Talent Camp run by England following the Easter camp selection. Their continued developed enabled them to avoid the various eliminations.
All three girls also play for Hertfordshire Mavericks Youth squad in the National Talent League where their season has got off to a good start. Bedford can be proud of this new crop of young international athletes as they join their respective squads of 12 players in an attempt to repeat last season’s national success at both age groups.
Maggie Jackson HonouredMaggie Jackson, Hertfordshire Mavericks’ Head Coach was recently conferred an Honorary Degree - Masters of Science for her contribution to Coach Education and coaching. The ceremony was held at St Albans Cathedral during which Maggie and another recipient Jean Pickering (husband of the late Ron Pickering) had their citations read by Mr Nick Brooking, the Director of Sport at the University of Hertfordshire. They received their Honorary degree from the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of the University of Hertfordshire Governors; Josephine Connell.
Maggie was delighted and surprised to be awarded this degree and very appreciative of the University and the Sports Village and their support they are giving Hertfordshire Mavericks. She was pleased that her husband and parents attended the Graduation ceremony as without their and her children, Tom and Kari’s support she would not have been able to commit so much time to netball.
“It was a great occasion in a fabulous setting and one that I will remember for ever ; super to meet and chat to Jean Pickering who has devoted her life to supporting and fundraising for young talented athletes, great to also see so many young graduated receiving their degrees and my thanks to Hertfordshire Mavericks; particularly Gloria Keech who has enabled me to be part of a great franchise and to the University of Hertfordshire for looking after me and my guests so well on the graduation day”
Picture shows Maggie Jackson after the event being photographed with the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of the University of Hertfordshire Governors ; Josephine Connell .
Excellence throughout BedfordshireMaggie Jackson Awarded Honorary Life Membership to England Netball. Bedfordshire County would like to offer congratulations to Maggie Jackson who was presented with Honorary Life Membership of England Netball at the Goalden Globes Awards Ceremony in Hinckley on Saturday 19th September – a well deserved award in recognition of Maggie’s past and continued contribution to Netball at all levels of the game.
Bedfordshire would like to say a special well done to Gary Burgess – on gaining his IUA in the Cook Islands at the World Championships. Gary has worked very hard to attain this Award, a fantastic achievement.
MANY CONGRATULATIONS from all in Bedfordshire Netball!
This exciting and progressive award scheme can be used at school or in clubs to motivate players to practice and improve their basic skills and to reward them for their efforts.
The awards scheme consists of six levels of achievement illustrated on user friendly cards and posters, assessment recording sheets and a user manual.
The manual contains all the information you require to run the Award Scheme, including administration guidelines, tips for setting up and assessing performance, performance criteria and details about other resources and courses that are available from England Netball.
The Netball Skills Awards have been kindly sponsored by MB>California Prunes.
The Awards are available from the England Netball Merchandise website or by calling 0870 606 1686. |
