Netball Team Celebrate Outstanding Nationals Debut!

Held over the weekend of 17–19 April at the University of Nottingham, the Championships brought together some of the best college athletes from across the country. Now in its 46th year, the event is the biggest annual further education sporting competition in Europe, with over 1,300 students competing and this year, for the first time ever, our Netball team was right there among them.

Long Road’s journey to this national stage began back in October, when they made history by winning the AoC Regional Tournament and securing qualification for the National Championships for the very first time. It was a breakthrough moment for the team, and they carried that momentum with them into the weekend. 

Drawn into a challenging group, the squad rose to the occasion, competing with resilience and composure in every match. Each game tested their skill and teamwork, but the players embraced it, taking on every game with confidence and giving nothing less than 100% every time they stepped on court and consistently demonstrating their love for the sport. Their efforts paid off in style. Heading into the 9th/10th place play-off, the team delivered one of their strongest performances of the tournament, securing a brilliant 35–13 win and finishing 9th in the country. For a first-ever appearance at Nationals, that’s an incredible achievement.

While the final placing was a proud achievement in itself, the experience of competing at such a high level is invaluable to our players. The tournament pushed the team to grow, adapt, and learn—qualities that will no doubt shape their future success. Their strong season also included reaching the quarter-finals of the AoC Cup, further underlining that they fully deserved their place among the nation’s top teams.

Above all, what stood out was the team’s unwavering dedication. Week after week, these players give their all—training hard, supporting one another, and playing with genuine passion. Their commitment has not only driven results but also built a team spirit that is impossible to ignore.

This has been a landmark year for the Long Road Netball team. Competing on the national stage for the first time and returning with a top-10 finish is a remarkable accomplishment. The team has done themselves and the college proud—and they truly deserve a huge round of applause for everything they’ve achieved.