Three international Loughborough Lightning stars put girls and boys from 10 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire primary schools through their paces as Trent College hosted its first U10 High 5 Netball Tournament.
Ella Gibbons, Peace Proscovia and Vanessa Walker passed on their expert tips during a 45-minute ‘warm up’ training session, before each team played short friendly matches against four different schools.
The aim of the tournament was to help develop the primary school children’s skill levels in shooting, basic footwork and passing the ball. Trent College’s U14 netballers helped umpire the matches, also giving them the chance to see a different side of their sport whilst developing their confidence and personal leadership skills.
The Loughborough Lightning stars ran the training session and also helped manage and umpire the tournament. The schools came Long Eaton, Lambley in Nottinghamshire and Aston On Trent in Derbyshire.
Jacqui Rhodes, Trent College’s Primary School Liaison Coordinator, said: “This was a great opportunity for schools in the local community to compete in a friendly match play tournament with children of a similar talent and age, as well as the chance to meet some great ambassadors for sport and be inspired to become fantastic athletes.”
“For our own students who were umpiring it was also enlightening for them to not only apply the rules and manage the games but to support and encourage younger people who may also be aspiring to be netball players of the future,” said Jacqui.
Parents from some of the participating schools came along to watch their children in action before Trent College Head, Bill Penty, did the honours at the medal presentation ceremony in the school’s Obolensky Dining Hall. A hot tea was also provided for all the players with sandwiches and cakes for the visiting parents and teachers.
Situated on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in Long Eaton, Trent College and its junior school, The Elms, are flourishing, forward-thinking schools that strive to prepare boys and girls for futures that lie in their imaginations. Pupils are integrated into vibrant communities and develop the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive as exceptional young people and into adulthood. For more information visit www.trentcollege.net
