The School Games made a welcome return in 2022, after a two year break during the pandemic. Among the teams competing in the finals at Loughborough University were 11 netball teams from around the country, including defending champions Manchester Thunder.
Netball England reports that Manchester Thunder successfully retained their crown, after winning 21-28 in the final against London Pulse. Team Bath beat Surrey Storm to take the bronze medal, and Saracens Mavericks and Severn Stars took fifth and sixth place respectively. Leeds Rhinos narrowly beat Loughborough Lightning to take the seventh spot.
Overall, 42 netball matches were played over two days during 2-4 September at the School Games National Finals, which were held at the Loughborough University campus. 11 netball teams of players under 15 years of age took part, who were part of the Vitality Netball Superleague.
The School Games is a multi-sport event, and was founded 15 years ago to provide aspiring young athletes with national level competitive experience. The 10 sports include athletics, hockey, modern pentathlon, cricket, cycling events, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, triathlon, and of course, netball.
The annual event was established as part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. Over 1,000 young athletes took part in this year’s event in Loughborough, and its campuses in Donnington and Derby. The location changes each year to a different town or city around the UK.
265 former competitors in the School Games National Finals took part in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Among the medal winners were Katrina Johnson-Thompson, Hannah Cockcroft, Adam Peaty, and Bethany Firth.
84 of the athletes who made up Team GB in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were also alumni of the School Games, and they won 29 medals, including 8 golds, between them.
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