Wales Netball
August 10, 2017
Wales’ national under 17 netball squad have accepted an invitation to compete at England Netball’s annual Netball Performance League [NPL] tournament, from 24 – 27 August at Nottingham University.
After a successful 2016/17 season with a silver medal finish at the 2017 Netball Europe U17 Championships and several first capped players, Wales’ U17 team will have another opportunity to shine once again.
Their pool will comprise of franchise teams from across England including Manchester Thunder, Surrey Storm, Yorkshire Netball and Team South Tigers.
The following players have been selected for the tournament:
Gwenno Davies (Captain), Milly Watts (Vice-Captain), Macey Lane, Becca Hughes, Nikita Harris, Rhian Evans, Catrin Hughes, Caris Morgan, Emily Davies, Megan Gareh, Ellie Begley and Sapphira Fisher.
Under the leadership of the following Management Team:
Beverley Powell (Head Coach), Rhian Davies (Assistant Coach) and Sharon Walters (Team Manager).
The squad had a taster of the competition to come at Netball Superleague curtain raiser match against Wasps franchise’s U17 NPL team earlier this year. Wales U17 won a comfortable 44 v 28 score against the Coventry based team, which will give them confidence going into the NPL competition according to Welsh Netball’s Head of Performance Rosie Pretorius:
“The Wales U17 have had a successful year and have really grown in confidence as individuals and as a team. Their curtain raiser against Wasps will have given them another boost before facing other franchises this August.
“This is an opportunity for the young national team to gain exposure to different styles and standards of play, and will provide valuable experience to prepare them for future national and international stages. I would like to thank the players, parents, supporters and sponsors for making this opportunity happen.”
The Wales U17 fundraised in order to secure their participation in the highly competitive tournament and have successfully raised almost £6,000. Two thousand pounds of the total was proudly raised from individual efforts by the players in bucket collections, presentations, and a variety of community events. Several players also secured commercial sponsorships from local businesses and organisations, including Gallery Loft Conversions, Glamorgan Telecom, Redrow Homes Ltd, Gittins McDonald Solicitors, M & P Enterprises, Edwards Coaches, Push Beyond, Mainetti UK Ltd, Bridgend College, Allchurch & Co.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes:
Wales team members and positions:
Macey Lane: Goal Attack, Goal Shooter.
Becca Hughes: Wing Attack, Goal Attack.
Nikita Harris: Goal Keeper, Goal Defence.
Milly Watts: Centre, Wing Attack.
Rhian Evans: Goal Attack, Goal Shooter.
Catrin Hughes: Centre, Wing Attack.
Caris Morgan: Goal Keeper, Goal Defence.
Emily Davies: Goal Attack, Goal Shooter.
Megan Gareh: Goal Defence, Wing Defence.
Ellie Begley: Wing Defence, Centre.
Sapphira Fisher: Goal Keeper, Goal Defence.
Gwenno Davies: Wing Defence, Centre.
Wales match schedule:
Thursday 24.8.17 – 12:30 – Manchester Thunder v Wales U17
Thursday 24.8.27 – 17:45 – Surrey Storm v Wales U17
Friday 25.8.17 – 14.15 – Yorkshire Netball v Wales U17
Saturday 26.8.17 – 12.30 – Team South Tigers v Wales U17
Follow the action:
Twitter: @welshnetball
Facebook: fb.com/welshnetballassociation
Instagram: @welshnetball
More information on the National Performance League:
England Netball: https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/competitions/netball-performance-league/
