On Thursday, the U11 Netball Squad represented Sutton Valence School in the regional tournament, putting in an outstanding performance and finishing 4th – just shy of a podium position. The girls should be incredibly proud of their effort and determination throughout the competition. Parent Tina Burgon was there supporting and wrote:

“Having spent a wonderful day with the U11 netball squad representing SV in the regional tournament, it is with great pleasure I am writing a few words about my observations of the team today. Every single girl chosen for the Bee netball squad played their absolute hearts out today in a marathon of preliminary round games, a quarter final, semi-final and 3rd/4th place play off with endeavour and tremendous passion.

I was absolutely amazed as an experience player, coach and umpire with the attitude of the girls against sometimes the most daunting opposition. They went for everything, with the perseverance and determination of champions. They never once gave up on the belief they could stop the opposition from scoring, and took important and timely opportunities to score themselves. They took on coaching points with a “learning from my mistakes” approach, all players getting better as the day progressed.

Special mention to Emmeline for an outstanding performance in the Quarter finals against Wally Hall, playing GS in the 1st half scoring multiple times and then swapping to GD playing with Abiola at GK both of them throwing themselves at every ball like a pouncing tigers. It was a true demonstration of how as a defence you can influence the outcome of a game. In the end the team came 4th in a really tough tournament, competing and indeed unsettling the best independent school netball teams (and their coaches) from both Kent and Surrey.

Thank you Mrs Colwell and Mrs Skelly, for allowing me to share this wonderful experience with you and the girls. We should be so proud of them.”