Netball Season 2009 - 2010
The netball season began in early September with all last year’s ’B’ team entering the Under 11 Island trials. These took place over six weeks with the girls being coached and assessed throughout. Eventually Leonah Duffy was selected to play for Jersey with a few others, principally Florence Balderson, coming very close. She worked very hard and gained the GA position in the Under 11 ’A’ team. However, the extra coaching benefited all of our girls and gave them a good start when faced with their Division 3 fixtures. Before Christmas the leagues are decided by the number of girls each school has in years 5 and 6. St George’s was placed in Division 3. The team settled into their positions well with Florence Balderson as GD and Tara McCarthy as GK making it difficult for the opposition to score. At the other end Leonah Duffy GA and Kristyna Wharton GS were accurate in their shooting and developed a good understanding. The centre court was well covered by Sophia Bourne as C, Alysha Patel as WD and Hannah Patel as WA. These three girls worked well to link the defence and attack together. All of the girls contributed to the team and developed a good understanding and camaraderie. They played Les Landes, D’Auvergne, St. Martin, St. Saviour and Springfield; winning all their matches convincingly to take the Division 3 title.
After Christmas because they had won their division they were placed in Group A. In this group they faced much stronger opposition. The team managed two wins against Samares and F.C.J. but suffered narrow defeats to St Michael’s, JCG, St Peter’s and Beaulieu. The girls deserve much praise for their determination and spirit; in all the games they fought hard and never gave up.
The netball season finished with the ’A’ team tournament. The girls won their section beating Grouville 7:0, Samares 6:1, St Mary’s 7:0, and drawing with Beaulieu 1:1 and with St. Michael’s 2:2. They proceeded to the semi-final where they met F.C.J. They played a good, quick passing game with both shooters Kristyna Wharton and Leonah Duffy on form. They won this match 6:2. They then faced St. Michael’s in the final. This proved to be a very close and exciting final. St George’s scored first but St. Michael’s equalised. Both teams demonstrated some good netball. Florence Balderson as go al defence made some timely interceptions and Sophia Bourne as C worked tirelessly and broke down play on several occasions. St George’s scored again but St. Michael’s levelled the score. With only a couple of minutes remaining St Michael’s scored a third goal. St George’s fought hard and had the ball in their opponent’s circle but the final whistle was blown to deny them the chance to draw. The girls should be proud of their achievement; individually they have all progressed well since September in their skills and as a team play they display a much better awareness and understanding. It has been extremely enjoyable and rewarding to see them play so well and with such commitment in their final season St George’s.
Well done, St George’s ’A’ Team and we hope you all continue to enjoy and play netball in the future.
’B’ Team.
Throughout the season the ’B’ team have been training alongside the ’A’ team and developing their netball skills. Members of the ’B’ team have also acted as reserves for the ’A’ team and a number have been called upon when illness has taken its toll. Marianne Enget, Alia Byron and Megan Hollyman have all played for the ’A’ team this season.
Before Christmas the ’B’ team played friendly matches against our ’A’ team and a solitary fixture against La Moye primary school (in which they were triumphant). After Christmas they entered the ’B’ team league and met the ’B’ teams from the Group ’A’ league. All of these teams proved strong opposition and their only win was gained against St Peter. The girl’s final tournament is on April 30th and they are relishing the chance to compete against several other schools. The other members of the B team are: Sabine Minchinton-Gilley, Laura Bailey, Grace Devenport, Hattie Porter, Emily Beal and Jess Henderson.
S Le Neveu P.E. Teacher