Season Preview: Netball

'Netball 1sts' by Alex Papushoy

The 3rd Team came closest to making the step up last season, finishing joint first on points, but lost out on top spot due to goal difference. However, with BUSA reorganising the leagues over the summer, the 1st Team start this year in a league below, which is something they are looking to rectify this season.

Last year saw a large intake of freshers, particularly into the 1st Team, which meant it took a while for squads to settle and start playing as a team. In spite of this, UYNC won a convincing treble of victories in the Varsity matches against York St John, which was definitely the high point of the season. In the Roses matches, however, only the 2nd Team recorded a victory against Lancaster. Despite their results, both the 1st & 3rd Team performed well and the matches were extremely closely fought. The support we received on the sidelines was fantastic and really boosted the teams.

Another high point of last season, albeit a more social one, was Damfest 2007, the combined netball and football tour to Amsterdam. Unfortunately, no netball was actually played, due to other teams dropping out. According to second year Hannah Martin this was due to the “intimidation of the force that is UYNC!” The tour really proved that UYNC is just as much about friendship and fun as it is about netball, and we're looking forward to a repeat performance this year with the 2008 tour.

'Netball 1sts' by Alex Papushoy

The loss of fifteen squad members at the end of last year will have a big impact both on and off the court, and it makes this year’s trials an exciting time. The club is particularly looking for freshers to fill the gaps of GA, GS and GK. But with no positions set in stone, freshers will be crucial in helping make this a successful year for UYNC.

Key performers from last year included Amy Smith, 1st Team captain, who never had a bad game and was the key link in centre court between the defence and attack. Sarah Pycroft, a first year and 1st Team shooter, also had a huge impact on the team, with outstanding movement and accurate shooting throughout the season. Mention also needs to go to last year’s President and 2nd Team captain Annie Vater, whose dedication to both the 2nd Team and the club as a whole ensured a successful season for UYNC and particularly the 2nd Team.

This year expectations are high, with all squads looking to solidify the foundations laid last year. As well as looking for promotion, all three teams are aiming for a repeat performance at Varsity and a whitewash of Lancaster on their home ground at Roses. Expectations are particularly high for the 1st Team, who are looking for promotion after the reshuffling of the leagues by BUSA. With the 2nd & 3rd teams finishing in the top half of their leagues last year, determination is high for a successful year throughout the squads.

Roses is always the big game of the year, with mixed results in recent years. This year we are looking to go to Lancaster and beat them on their home ground. As first year Laura Longworth said, “We will destroy them!” The Varsity match against York St John is also a crunch match, with all three teams looking to repeat the whitewash of last year.

'Netball 1sts' by Alex Papushoy

This season third year Amy Smith is once again a player to watch as 1st Team Captain and playing in the key position at Centre, as is Katie Cowper-Johnson as 1st team Vice-Captain playing at GD. With many freshers in the 1st Team last year, the prospects for this season are exciting. Amongst the 2nd & 3rd Teams we are looking again to Camilla Hampton and Caroline Burtt to build on the excellent performances from last year, and bring that success into this season. Although it is easy to mention individual players, it is the absolute commitment from everyone within the squads that will enable us to build on the success and fun that was had last year. Club President Clare Shaw said: “It is a testament to the spirit within the club that everyone is eager to get back playing netball and looking forward to Wednesday night socials!”

In the Netball Club we share fitness, friendship and a love of netball. We enter teams into both the British Universities league (BUSA) and Northern Universities league (NUL) competitions. We play Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays across the North of England. We have squad training on Monday and Thursday evenings throughout the term. We like to be involved in all aspects of campus life, hosting many events for charity. We welcome players of all abilities and our Thursday training sessions are open to all club members.

However, perhaps equally as important as the training and the matches is the social side of the club, which sees weekly socials to Ziggys in various states of fancy dress and many other UYNC nights out throughout the term.

So come and find us at the AU mart and become part of UYNC. Even if you don't end up signing up, you'll still get some free stuff!

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