Bromsgrove School’s U19 girls’ netball team have secured the England Netball National Schools Championship title 
for the fifth time in seven years.
The National Schools Finals were held at the Basildon Sporting Village in Essex on Saturday 16th March, with eighteen teams competing.
Despite the cold rain and strong winds, Bromsgrove faced eight pool matches in five hours, with opposition from some of the strongest schools in the country.
After some close results in the pools, Bromsgrove pushed through to the semi-finals where they faced local team King’s Worcester, who had defeated Bromsgrove three times in the past year.
After a shaky start leaving them 5-1 down, Bromsgrove pushed back to win 10-9. Facing Leeds Grammar School in the final, Bromsgrove were tied at 9-9 at the final whistle but a goal during extra time and a missed penalty by Leeds secured the 11-10 winning result and the National Championship.
This win marks a special victory for the U19 girls, who in their final year have now won the National Championships five times in the past seven years. In addition to the title, the Bromsgrove players were awarded a trophy for Endeavour and Sportsmanship, following comments from umpires and other schools who praised their commitment and friendly, gracious sportsmanship.
Deputy Headmaster Philip Bowen, who attended the finals, said: “All sports differ in the tournaments one can enter but for length of success and trophies won this is the most successful sports team in our long history.
Congratulations to Monty Bent, Carly Nutt, Hayley Rudd, Claudia Cardinali, Kaya Wilson, Katherine Keates, Rebecca Morrice, Robyn Howcroft, Sophie Luckman and Captain Pippa Brock, most of whom have played netball for Bromsgrove School for almost as long as they can remember.
It has been one of life’s great joys for them and this was their finest hour. Their character – their determination, composure under fire and support of one another – saw them through.”