An Ashville College star netball player has been selected to play for the Leeds Rhinos U19 team.
Upper Sixth pupil Ella Whiting was one of 200 hopefuls who attended a series of trials to train and play with the elite Yorkshire team’s U17, U19 and U21 squads.
Formed in 2017, Leeds Rhinos Netball delivers training hubs, camps and workshops across the region and has secured a licence to join the Vitality Netball Superleague in 2021, bringing elite level netball to Yorkshire.
The Rhinos’ Netball Academy now has approximately 180 athletes, more than doubling the number from last season.
Ella said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to play for the Leeds Rhinos U19 team, particularly as next year we will be playing teams from across the country in the National League and at Superleague level.
“This year’s Leeds Rhinos Netball trials were slightly different due to COVID-19 restrictions, which meant we were initially divided into two groups. Each group then attended two separate sessions of netball drills over two evenings, finally all coming together for three hours of match play outside. It was great but challenging playing alongside so many talented players, all vying for a place on the team. Being selected is a dream come true and I can’t wait for the new season.”
Duncan Archer, Head of Sports Development at Ashville, said: “This is an excellent achievement by Ella and backs up the opportunities that Ashville offers to our local netball community. Our Sports Centre provides facilities for a netball hub by hosting Aspire Netball Club, Phoenix, Hi-Lites and the Autumn and Summer Harrogate Netball League.
“Also, once COVID-19 restrictions permit, we will also start to host Elite Netball Academy for a weekly coaching session, giving local girls and boys the opportunity to develop their skills.”
Danielle Rasbuary, Ashville’s Head of Netball, said: “We are immensely proud of Ella’s achievements in netball. She is a very talented athlete and has worked very hard to attain this elite level of play. We wish Ella continued success in the Rhinos programme, and look forward to seeing her on the court in the near future.”
For more information about Ashville visit www.ashville.co.uk or call 01423 566358.