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A crisp, clear day at Roedean provided the perfect backdrop for the Sussex Schools Netball National Round. With more schools than ever before competing, it was a full day of intense and exciting netball. Hurst entered three teams—1st VII, U16s, and U14s—each eager to secure their place in the next round of the competition.

1^st VII

The 1st VII team were in top form, playing 10 fast-paced games in a round-robin format. They secured victories against Seaford, Lancing, Ardingly, Eastbourne, Roedean, Collyer’s, Mayfield, BHASVIC, Bedes, and Brighton. Each game showcased the depth of talent in the squad, with every player making a valuable contribution. The team demonstrated speed, cohesion, and resilience, going unbeaten throughout the day.

Their strong performances saw them crowned County Champions, securing a place in the regional finals set for February 2025. The squad is excited for the upcoming Lent Term, confident and motivated for the next stage of the competition.

U16s

The U16s entered the competition knowing they would face a long and challenging day. Divided into two pools, they made an immediate impact in their first match, beating Burgess Hill. A closer contest against Davidsons followed, but a strong second half saw Hurst pull away for a win. From there, the team kept up their winning momentum, defeating Seaford, Brighton Girls, Lancing, and Eastbourne, allowing them to trial various combinations of players and tactics.

In the quarterfinals, they met Cardinal Newman and secured victory. The semi-final clash with Ardingly was the real test, as it was the must-win game to progress to the regional finals. After an intense first half that ended in Hurst’s favour, the team played their most controlled and patient netball, taking a well-earned victory.

In the final, Hurst faced Brighton College. Despite a strong start from Brighton, who capitalised on a few uncharacteristic errors to lead, the girls fought back. They narrowed the gap at halftime, but despite a determined second half, they couldn’t quite turn it around, finishing the game down. Nevertheless, with regional qualification secured, the U16s will now focus on preparing for the next round in February with their eyes on the National Finals in March.

U14s

For the U14s, it was a day of near misses. Despite a series of hard-fought games and significant improvement shown throughout the season, they narrowly missed out on progressing to the next round. The squad played with energy and determination, and while they won’t be moving forward this year, the team’s development and performances leave much to be optimistic about.

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