STUDENTS from the Hartpury College Netball Academy are celebrating another major achievement by making the final at the England National Schools.

Just weeks after being crowned South West regional champions, the team finished runners-up at in the U19 event held at Stanborough School in Welwyn Garden City.

They were narrowly beaten in the final by reigning champions Worthing, losing 13-11 after another spirited performance against a more experienced side.

It followed an unbeaten run through the group stages for Hartpury, including a 12-12 draw with Worthing, and a convincing 13-7 success over Canford in the semi-finals.

Nikki Lloyd, Junior Netball Academy Head Coach at Hartpury, said: “I could not be prouder of the way this squad have represented Hartpury and the Netball Academy throughout this competition.

“To be officially ranked second amongst the U19 squads in England is a massive achievement for this young squad and I know that it will only motivate and inspire them more.

“The future is extremely bright with all bar four of the 12 squad being first-year students, and the experiences this group have had will prove valuable learning and I know they will go onto even bigger things.”

The team have also qualified for the AoC National Cup semi-finals, the AoC Super League play-off semi-finals and the AoC National Championships.

The succesful Hartpury College squad was Katie Pauling (captain), Ehlana Drury (vice-captain), Lily Jones, Emily Lacy, Sophie Margetts, Effie Robinson, Emily Brooks, Nia Evans, Maia Melhuish, Natasha Englefield, Jasmine Genge.

Hartpury has successful associations with Superleague netball clubs Severn Stars and Team Bath, Premier League clubs Premier Romans and Hucclecote, as well as Netball South West and the Welsh Netball Association.

A number of Hartpury coaches and students have represented Severn Stars, including England Futures player and Hartpury University netball team head coach Paige Reed.

Students at Hartpury University have access to a range of world-class sports facilities on its 360-hectare campus, including its new £8.8 million Sports Academy featuring netball courts, a biomechanics laboratory, and a human performance laboratory.