Waterfoot Primary School will represent Rossendale in the county netball final after a decisive victory in the local final held at Haslingden High School. The competition featured eight schools: Waterfoot, Britannia, Stonefold, Thorn, St Paul's, St Anne's, Edenfield, and Tonacliffe.
Competition Structure and Heats
The Rossendale School Sports Partnership organized two heats to determine the top eight teams. These were then split into two groups of four, with each team playing a round-robin to decide the top four places. Despite threatening rain, the weather held off during the final matches, allowing for excellent netball play and superb umpiring from Sports Leaders at Haslingden High School and Sixth Form.
Role of Sports Leaders
Freya Demetriou, 14, was one of 15 Sports Leaders who volunteered their time after school to ensure the event ran smoothly. She said: "I have been a Sports Leader since I was in Year 7 and it is fun leading the netball; I love it. Before Year 6, I had not a lot of pupils play netball because it is not really played in primary school unless you are a member of an outside club. That is why they sometimes do not know the rules and so you have to make sure they know what to do."
Demetriou added: "I have umpired all the time and it is quite hectic. We have been playing seven minutes each way and in some of the matches they have not known what they were doing so they have been learning as they go along. I have seen a few who are really good and showed good speed and efficiency."
Final Match and Victory
After eight initial matches, Waterfoot faced Edenfield in the final for the title of Rossendale Netball Champions and the honor of representing the borough at the county level. Waterfoot teacher and netball coach Julia Holt said: "They have done really well and have been training all year round, except December and January. They love it and this is our third year of winning the Rossendale title."
Waterfoot captain Zara, 11, said: "We played good and we supported each other and were all passing the ball and got some good goals." The team's consistent training and teamwork paid off, securing their spot in the county championships.
