By Mrs Vao, Head of Junior PE

On Wednesday of last week, the U11 NHEHS team travelled to Wellington College to take part in IAPS qualifiers for the first time. For this competition all teams played Stage 3 (Stinger) Bee Netball. The main difference in Bee netball is there are only 5 girls on the court (no WA or WD), lower goal posts, a size 4 ball and girls rotate positions at half time and at the start of a new game. Our girls normally play 7- a -side netball so this was a new experience for them along with not having played any of the prep schools in this tournament, we weren’t sure how we were going to do.

After a long team talk about tactics, followed by a rotation practice, the team was more than up to the challenge. We played four matches in the pool stage, only losing one to Bishopsgate, 4-3 and qualifying for the Cup quarter finals against The Abbey. It was determined play that led to a win, 8 – 2. We were excited to now be in the semi final and hoped to turn the tables this time against Bishopsgate. Unfortunately, it was uncharacteristic mistakes on our part that saw Bishopsgate come out on top, 6-3. NHEHS were understandably disappointed as, had they been in the final, they would have qualified for Nationals! Nevertheless, there was still a medal at stake in the third and fourth play-off. Determined to not come away empty handed, the girls played their socks off against Godstowe to win 6 – 3 and were the well-deserved recipients of bronze medals.

We were extremely proud of all the girls who played with such positive team spirit and remained determined throughout the whole tournament. Well done to Martha, Poppy, Nina ,Alice Violet, Alexandra and Isabella.