Wrekin College netballers making their mark

The under-19s team led the way as they were crowned county champions and then represented the West Midlands at the National Schools Finals at Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire.

The competition placed them alongside the 18 top schools in the country and head of girl games at the college Caroline Ritchie-Morgan expressed her delight as the under-19 side fought their way to a fine seventh-placed finish.

They are a sixth form team comprising of girls that have played together from age 11 (year seven) and some who have joined for sixth form aged 18.

“It’s a massive achievement to for them to compete and beat teams from London, the South East and the South West who are prestigious netball schools and academies,” said Ritchie-Morgan, who also pointed towards the spirit within the girls’ camp.

She added: “They’re such a tight group. In fact, one of the girls, while we were travelling, filmed footage secretly of them getting on and they’ve put a video together – it’s fantastic.

“Some of the girls will leave this summer but some stay on for another year.”

The coach is optimistic of more success with the team moving forward with another talented youngster joining up.

“We have Macey Lane, a 16-year-old joining us from a comprehensive school in south Wales,” added Ritchie-Morgan.

“She is coming to further her netball career and will be a full-time border. She’s a Welsh international and has competed in the European Championships.”

Furthermore, the college’s under-13 girls have also enjoyed a fine campaign. They also landed the county champions title and reached the last eight of the prestigious National School Knockout Cup.

They lost out to current holders Berkhamstead School.

Ritchie-Morgan hailed the achievement as ‘phenomenal’ given that the squad was selected from a school year group consisting of just 18 girls.

More promising news for the college is a link forged with exciting new netball Superleague franchise Wasps netball.

The club, based at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena, compete in the Superleague in televised fixtures on Sky Sports every week and currently sit second behind Loughborough Lightning.

Ritchie-Morgan hopes that new Welsh star Lane can attract the attention of Wasps, while under-13 star Poppy Jones has already played for Wrekin’s under-16s and is hoping to secure a place with Wasps’ under-17s.

The college have been invited to play at the Ricoh Arena as a curtain-raiser ahead of one of Wasps’ Superleague game.

“It’s a boost for the girls and a honour to be involved in their curtain-raiser,” said the coach.