News

Berkhamsted Group | 30.01.2018

Pathway places for Berkhamsted netballers

Pathway places for Berkhamsted netballers

Update 22.01.19

Following trials on Sunday 20th January in Loughborough, Bella Baylis has been selected for the England. She will represent her country at the Netball Europe U17 Championship.

The school are incredibly proud of this achievement, and look forward to seeing her on court in England colours when the Championships start on Friday 1 March.

Read more

Original article 30.01.18

Bella Baylis and Freya Keohane have earned places with two of the UK’s top domestic netball clubs.

Bella has been selected for the Hertfordshire based benecosMavericks U19s having progressed from the U17s. Freya joins London Pulse U17s for her first introduction to netball at this level.

The two emerging talents have been playing netball since Year 3 at Berkhamsted Prep. They have enjoyed success together at school including the U14 National Schools Finals in 2016.

Playing five years above her age group, Bella will be the youngest player in the squad of Superleague hopefuls. Her fast-track progression at the age of 14 reflects her netball potential and exceptional ability.

Bella said “I’m really pleased with what I have achieved in netball so far, but I want to keep progressing. I am hopeful I can do well with the U19s.”

Bella, who can play centre or wing attack has an ambition to play in the Superleague for the senior team and to represent England in the future.

Competition for places

Sachel Grant, Performance Pathway Head Coach said “Bella has done extremely well to gain a place in the benecosMavericks under 19 squad. Bella had to attend a series of trials in order to gain her place. This is Bella’s first year within benecosMavericks, at this level and we are excited to see her put onto court what she learns in training.”

Several hundred girls trialled for a place on the Mavericks’ pathway programme. Players travelled from as far as Norfolk and Southampton for the opportunity.

Bella is the second Berkhamsted pupil to join a Superleague team after Sophie Beard became the first in the School’s history to reach this level in 2017.

Finger on the pulse

Freya has been selected for the London Pulse pathway squad, based at the Copper Box Arena – a venue famous for staging the 2012 Olympic Games.

She can play a range of mid court positions including wing attack, centre and wing defence. Freya is a skilled passer with the ability to move quickly around the court in both defence and attack.

Freya said “playing netball at school has taught us to try new things and to never be afraid to fail. The opportunities and the coaching at Berkhamsted has such a positive effect, and it has inspired us to always strive for the next level”

Freya Keohane netball

Netball role models

Danielle Wates, Acting Director of Sport said “We are incredibly proud of both Bella and Freya.

“Bella is an exciting young talent with an exceptional ability to read the game. She is a very special sportswomen who has the ability to play in any position on the court. To make the U19 Mavericks squad at 14 years old, is an incredible achievement and one Bella has worked unbelievably hard for.

“Freya’s talent on the court has been a huge asset for the school. She is a very clever player who is capable of playing in any centre court position. She’s extremely intelligent in her decision-making and has a natural ability when feeding the ball into the circle, boasting immense composure when put under extreme pressure.

“We are very lucky at Berkhamsted to have such inspiring role models in Netball like these two, and I know they both will continue their success this season.”

URL copied!