​Wellington girls reach national finals

This weekend Wellington College U16s and U19s netball teams will compete in the National Schools Netball Finals in Peterborough.

54 teams from more than 40 schools from across the country will come together for the competition which is taking place at Oundle School for the first time. Teams representing three age categories – U14s, U16s and U19s – will contest in 18 rounds of matches, with the U14s and U16s in action on Saturday and the U19s taking to court on Sunday. The best four teams from each age group will then compete in semi-finals followed by finals and third place play-offs before the trophy presentations.

Around 1,500 schools take part in the National Schools Competition each year, with the top two sides from each age category from each region qualifying through the Regional Schools Finals to make it to the finals weekend.

To make the finals, Wellington College U16s and U19s played multiple schools from the local area, including Beaconsfield High, The Abbey and Bradfield. To be ranked within the top 18 schools in the country is an incredible achievement, especially at two age groups. This achievement is another example of girls' sport at Wellington College going from strength to strength, as befits a truly coeducational school.

On Saturday in the U16 category, Wellington College will take on defending champions Guildford High School. Meanwhile the U19s competition is wide open as none of the defending champions are returning.

This year’s competition comes with lots of excitement and anticipation after last year’s competition was unfortunately canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Government restrictions.

Under 19s Captain and England Roses player Scarlett Creasey said: "It’s amazing to qualify for nationals and play amongst the best of the best. We all are so excited for Nationals and can’t wait! It’s an incredible achievement for Wellington to qualify two teams for nationals and is a real testament to the training and coaching that we have at the school."