Greater Manchester Youth Games 2009

This year the Greater Manchester Youth Games had a slightly different format to previous years with a new name to go with it:
‘I love Me Champion’s Challenge’.
However as far as the girls at the Charlestown Netball Club were concerned, it was still 9 netball matches to be played in the ‘Team Salford’ kit of red skirt and white polo.

The U12’s and U13’s squad had been eagerly anticipating this year’s games;
all hoping for a chance to play for ‘Team Salford’. After many special weekly training sessions, the final pick was composed of: Kate Aitkin (WD), Becky Cooper (WA, WD, C), Tara Gerrald (GS), Olivia Maddon (GD), Lucy Matthews (C), Leah Niven (WA), Abigail Parry (GA), Alisha Walker (GS, GA), and Helen Wheeldon (GK).
 
The passion for netball was evident from the start. Achieving seven wins out of the nine matches played against the other Greater Manchester boroughs, showed that everyone played at their best. The players supported each other throughout the event superbly, showing strong commitment and teamwork built-up over the season and other tournaments played on previous week-ends.

The girls appreciated the great support and encouragement given by Coach Angela Buckley and Team Manager Helen Matthews. A highlight of the day came when the Mayor and Mayoress of Salford came to watch one of their matches staying afterwards to meet the players and pose for photographs. Councillor Lightup praised the team for the high quality of play and speed around the court and their support for each other.

As each match only lasted for seven minutes each way the players had to work hard to make every minute count and their final overall position of third, winning Bronze was well deserved. The strength of the defence matching the superb attack and shooting is shown in the impressive goal difference with a total of 86 goals won and 41 against.

The winning scores were: 5:3 to Bolton; 12:6 to Stockport; 11:4 to Wigan; 10:2 to Manchester; 11:3 to Bury; 14:2 to Tameside, 10:4 to Oldham; and losing scores were 8:11 to Rochdale (who won Silver) and 5:6 to Trafford (who won Gold).

Overall the tournament was an excellent experience for players, parents and coaches alike. Every team showed great sportsmanship and although Salford only narrowly lost two of their matches, they were great fun to play and Salford “were just glad we’d given it our all”. The team were thrilled for other ‘Team Salford’s in different events who also won medals, meeting the girls’ football squad at the presentation ceremony. The girls were presented with Bronze medals and certificates to show for their hard efforts that day which was made all the more enjoyable by the friendly atmosphere, top-class umpiring as well as a superb brake-dancing show put on in the lunch break.
They returned home exhausted but very happy and proud of their third place achievement.

Well done, Kate, Becky, Tara, Olivia, Lucy, Leah, Abi, Alisha and Helen; you were a credit to the club and to the city.