FIVE talented young players from Bangor Netball Club proudly represented Northern Ireland at the prestigious Earned Not Given (ENG) Home Nations Cup Finals in England last weekend.
Maria McQuillan, Holly Milliken, Shelby Skelton, Charlotte Law and Eva Howells previously earned the opportunity to attend ENG competition workshops, where players register as individuals and are immersed in a highperformance training environment.
Led by elite coaches, specialising in high-performance training and matchplay preparation, the workshops challenge players to develop their skills, teamwork and game awareness.
Following an intensive training program, players are selected for teams by the coaches, before being put to the test in a series of competitive matches.
The winning teams received awards and secured qualification for the renowned ENG Home Nations Cup Finals.
The finals brought together talented young netballers from across England, Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales, providing an invaluable opportunity to experience elite-level competition.
Primary 7 pupils Maria, Holly, Shelby and Charlotte competed in the primary section and produced an outstanding performance, helping their team secure a fantastic bronze medal.
To add to the celebrations, Shelby Skelton received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, in recognition of her exceptional performances throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, Year 8 student Eva played in the junior section, competing against some of the strongest young players from across the home nations.
Although her team narrowly missed out on a medal, the experience of competing in such a highperformance environment was a tremendous achievement in itself, and one that has provided valuable exposure to level expected of rising stars.
Bangor Netball Club head coach Shannon Garvan, who has spent time observing the girls since they joined the club when they were in P5, believes their latest achievements comes as a result of their dedication.
“Everyone at Bangor Netball Club is incredibly proud of Maria, Holly, Shelby, Charlotte and Eva, for their hard work and commitment,” she said.
“Their achievements are a testament to the effort they have put into their development, and they represented both the club and Bangor with great pride throughout the competition.
“It’s great to witness their progression and it’s fantastic to see five girls from Bangor competing at such a high level.
“The difference in them since they joined the club has been night and day, showing confidence, skill, cohesion and an ability to accept advice. They’re like wee sponges, taking it all on board, which has show in their progression.”
