Cardinal Newman Netball Academy has won the Sisters n Sport U19 National Netball Shield Competition.

Sisters n Sport is an organisation that aims to inspire and empower girls through sport. The final of the national knock out competition, which was held at Loughborough University, took place in mid-March and featured teams from all over the UK.

The team entered the Shield back in September, along with 29 other northern teams and 59 southern teams. To reach the finals each team must play and win four games against local opponents, before making it to the finals day at Loughborough University.

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Coach Darcey Parr said: “There were two northern teams, Cardinal Newman and Ratcliffe College, and two from the south, Reborne Upper School and Redmaids School.

“We played both of the southern schools in what were tough matches, even coming back from being behind at half time to win our final game, and the competition.

“The team conducted themselves and played with the utmost professionalism, receiving praise from the umpires, organisers and other coaches about their conduct, manners and quality of netball.

“I was so unbelievably proud of the team, they played fantastically well and really deserved to win!”

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