King’s Worcester netballers and rugby players are all celebrating today at the remarkable news that two teams have qualified at national level, for the England Netball National Finals at Oundle School and the England Rugby NatWest Schools’ Plate Final respectively at the StoneX Stadium, the home of Saracens Rugby Team.
Senior School pupils in the U14 netball and U15 rugby teams will compete against the best in the nation in a battle for the title of England Champions in these coveted national sporting events.
In the lead-up to the finals, King’s U14 netball team won all their regional group matches to progress through to the Regional Final last Sunday, where they met a strong side from Bromsgrove School. Finishing second overall in the West Midlands and qualifying for the National Finals is a huge achievement. The girls showed outstanding teamwork and true grit and determination on the court.
The news was welcomed by King’s, as the School were also the only one in the West Midlands not only to have all three age groups, U14, U16 and U19 competing in the Regional Finals but then to have all three progressing through to the semi-finals; this was a first for the School and a special day for netball at King’s. The U14 girls will play against schools such as Repton, Putney High and Bradford Grammar in the final.
Director of Netball Mrs McGinley adds, “This National Schools Competition is tough, with over 1,500 schools taking part. Having three teams at the Regionals and then three teams in the semi-finals shows the huge depth of talent that we have in each age group. We have reached the National Finals on six occasions in the last seven years, highlighting the enthusiasm and effort of both the athletes and the staff; our aim is to reach the National Finals every year and I am very proud of all of the age groups who performed on Sunday and wish the U14s every success on the 12th of March.”
On the rugby pitch, the U15 rugby team were also ecstatic after a fantastic season, which has culminated in them reaching the England Rugby School’s Plate Final, to be played next week in London. The NatWest Schools Plate is the premier school’s rugby tournament in the country and the largest, with over 450 school teams competing regionally and then nationally for the chance to play at a Premiership stadium and clinch the coveted title. Last year’s final had over 35,000 live streams.
On the journey to the final, the King’s team took on many leading rugby schools, including Norwich School, Cheadle Hulme, Loughborough Grammar and Wrekin College, showing some exceptional performances with over 130 points being scored and only three tries conceded across the five games. They now face Abingdon School in the final.
Director of Rugby, Mr Williams comments, “This group have been an absolute pleasure to coach. Whatever challenges I have set or reactions I have asked of them, they have responded and wanted more! I am extremely proud of what they have achieved this year but also extremely excited to see what this group can do in the future, both as a team and individually. I cannot wait for the final, as the U15s showcase the brilliant rugby of which they are capable. It will be a special moment for the boys to run out altogether on Tuesday at StoneX Stadium and I know they will do themselves proud.”