Westholme School is celebrating a national sporting success after its Under-14 netball team was crowned Sisters n Sport National Champions following an outstanding performance in the finals.
After progressing through four challenging qualifying rounds, the Westholme team secured their place among the best school netball teams in the country, travelling to Loughborough University ready to compete.
Their first match of the finals day saw them face Beaconsfield School in an intense contest. The match swung back and forth, and by the end of the third quarter Westholme trailed by a single goal. The team produced an exceptional final quarter, conceding just one goal while surging ahead to claim a 22-14 victoryand secure their place in the grand final.
Between matches, the players had the opportunity to explore the world-class facilities at Loughborough University and meet England Roses players, offering a glimpse into the professional environment of Loughborough Lightning and providing further inspiration ahead of the final.
In the grand final against Torquay, the Westholme squad played with unity and confidence, with all 11 players taking to the court and contributing to the performance. Their teamwork, grit and determination saw them take control of the match and finish with a 25-15 victory, securing the national title and the gold medal.
Shannon Banks, Head of Netball at Westholme School, said: “It is an absolute privilege to stand here and recount the incredible journey of our U14 Sisters n Sport team. It is my honour to congratulate the team on their resilience, their teamwork, and for officially bringing home the gold medal.”
Adding to the celebrations, Maria Johnson was named Player of the Finals in recognition of her outstanding performance across the competition.
Principal, Paul Taylor, said: “This victory represents a fantastic achievement for our netballers and PE staff. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented the School both on and off the court, and this national title is richly deserved.”