Team Bath’s netballers created a big impact when they met hundreds of school students from 20 Bristol schools this week.
Vangelee Williams passes on her love of sport to pupils from St Teresa’s primary school. (Photo: Bryn Vaile, Matchtight Ltd)
The Sitec-sponsored Blue and Gold squad, who represent the South West’s netball franchise, were on hand at Merchants’ Academy in Bristol to lead drills, talk to the students and play sport alongside them.
“It was fantastic to work together with so many schools”, said Team Bath Director of Netball Jess Thirlby. “We really enjoyed meeting the students and their teachers and we are looking forward to doing more”.
Merchants’ Academy played host to the day which featured Team Bath players Rachel Shaw, an England international, and Jamaican national squad members Vangelee Williams and Shantal Slater.
Ten primary schools were involved in early afternoon session and Bridge Farm Primary’s PE staff said: “We have 10 girls here, aged 10 and 11, from years 5 and 6. It’s just an amazing opportunity for them to see the players from Team Bath and for them to be able to show the skills that they have. The girls are so interested and they have come so far already but just to have this new opportunity is an amazing experience for them”.
Later in the afternoon eight secondary schools joined the session with organization for the whole event supported by the local county sports partnership.
Rachel Shaw puts students through their paces. (Photo:Bryn Vaile, Matchtight Ltd)
“It was great for all of our south Bristol schools to receive some excellent coaching from Team Bath and to just be here and get this experience. In some cases we’ve chosen students that aren’t necessarily in our better netball teams and this is an experience that they wouldn’t normally get”, said Sara Fear of the Ashton Park School Sport Partnership.
Team Bath are currently poised equal fourth with Surrey Storm in the 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague but behind on goal difference. The top four will progress to the play-offs on 10 and 11 June. Their final two matches are away fixtures – against Manchester Thunder on Monday 29 May and against Wasps on June 3.
Team Bath’s sponsors Sitec were behind yesterday’s event. They are providing financial support for a series of community days in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
List of Schools that attended:
Primary Schools
Knowle Park
St Peters
Bridge Farm
Four Acres
St Peter & Paul
St Teresa’s
Ashton Vale
St Bernadettes
May Park
Sefton Park
Bridge Learning Campus
Birdwell
Secondary Schools
Merchants Academy
Bridge Learning Campus
Fairfield Grammar
Bristol Met
Ashton Park
Cotham
Oasis Brislington
Colstons Girls
Report courtesy of Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.
