U17 France Netball Success for Year 10 Erin
By Erin L, Year 10
Being part of the French international junior netball squad has been a truly surreal experience and definitely one to remember. It has helped me improve my skills, adapt to high pressure environments, represent my country in competitions, and most importantly, form friendships that will certainly last a lifetime!
We have training camps, mostly in France, which are excellent for refining skills, learning game play structures, and having a lot of fun. In January, we had a camp in the Cotswolds where we played against Wales and a mixed adult team from Oxford which was a great opportunity to showcase what we had learned in previous camps. We also do team building activities, including talks from the coaches, group challenges, and collaborative exercises, which help us build closer friendships and work better together. Ice baths and even sea dips are also part of the routine, which are only bearable thanks to everyone supporting each other!
I’ve taken part in some amazing competitions as well. In December 2025, I played in the U19 Europe Netball event in Edinburgh against teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, and Wales. It was a phenomenal experience to compete against players much older than me. Experiencing intense physicality and fierce battles has certainly strengthened me as a player. In March 2026, I played in the U17 Rising Stars competition in the Isle of Man against Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Ireland, and Switzerland, where France won the tournament. The atmosphere was unforgettable, everyone was so supportive, and it was an amazing experience. I was also proud to be awarded Coaches Player of the Tournament, as it meant my hard work and dedication were recognised. It gave me a real confidence boost and reinforced that believing in yourself makes anything achievable. Overall, it has been an incredible experience, and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. The environment is so supportive, and I can’t wait to see what’s yet to come. So far, it has been truly unforgettable!
