2026. The last time we played competitive netball at the juniors age group felt an eternity ago but here we again, preparing for game week 1 with a fresh look Bedford Tigers Junior division…. New teams…. More teams…. New players and new coaches, all see the next stage or the Tigers project and we are in for an exciting season.

Anticipation is high on the success of 2025 where these age groups rolled in a number of trophies but like any good project you need to ‘trust the process’. This seasons brings about 3 teams at the school years 4-6 age groups and a further 3 teams at years 7-8, many new players all of which are playing together for the first time and some even finding netball for the first time as well.

Friday nights a Bedford Academy are now awash with junior Tigers and parents, clambering for their training session, with coaches chaotically searching for breath!

The first two weeks of March have seen the forming of the new teams through a mixture of age groups and abilities, fired into the traditional grading tournament to determine the teams division they will be placed in. As always, these days are filled with frantic fun and manic dashes across from one court to another but as the dust settles the teams and their respective divisions have just been released;

BEDFORD TIGERS AMBERS
Our newest member of the years 7-8 cohort. The team are made of many newer members to the club, so this is really a brand new start and new project. It was a tough experience for Ambers as expected during grading days as they get used to playing together but their tenacity and togetherness was amazing to see. The second week saw already a much improved side, playing as a team and amazing to get their first win under their belts. Ambers will be playing in Division 4 this season and have no doubt they will go from strength to strength as the season unfolds.Star player performances from ORLA and GRACE give you an idea of one’s to watch!

BEDFORD TIGERS ROSES
A good portion of the Roses side had a chance to play together in the pre-season tournament for this season with some new additions of GEORGIE and PHOEBE, I am sure will strengthen the squad. Day one of grading was a huge reality check and caught the Roses girls off guard, but a transformation in the second week saw them not lose a game which meant their original seeding of Division 4 was bumped, placing them squarely in Division 3 with their sisters the SAFFRONS. Some experimenting still to be down with positioning and that creep into the next division will make for a challenging season but this squad of girls definitely have the talent to be playing here and they have earnt their place.

BEDFORD TIGERS SAFFRONS
Again a team who have had some early game time together in pre-season with newbie ELSIE joining the pack to fill out that mid-court. The SAFFRONS have been consistent throughout, keeping their results respectable and taking some impressive scalps. The second day of grading anchored them into Division 3 with 3 wins, 2 draws and just 1 loss they have every opportunity to do well in this division. JHENE’s star player performance last week to tighten up the defence will make all the difference come game day next Sunday.

BEDFORD TIGERS VIOLETS
The clubs tiny tots and the youngest of our competitive teams. The team is newly formed this season but they are already showing signs of gelling nicely and most importantly enjoying their netball. They have already sampled their first taste of success with a win in grading week 1 and defensive qualities kept teams out completely within the second week. The netball is just a joy to watch and a starting season in Division 3 within the 4-6’s league is just what they need to grow and develop together.

BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
The ‘Sapphires’ last season took division 2 and this group of players will have the chance to do it all again. A mix group of players, some not playing together before have been drawn in division 2 this season after some really competitive games. In just two weeks we have seen the growth from front to back. Already favoured positions are clearly apparent in some of the girls but with the forced rotations at this age, they will have to continue to be versatile on game days. An injury for this group will find them without week 1’s Star Player GEORGIA which will be a blow but a welcomed supporter from the sidelines.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES
The titled Jades of last year took the ‘dragons cup’, will they do the same again? …. Or one step further? Having a fantastic first day of the grading tournament they didnt lose a game which finds them destined for top tier netball in Division 1. This will be a great challenge for our Jade girls who found that out during day 2 but fought well and made each game competitive. They have goals from all over the squad and look excellent going forward which will make for some exciting netball in the coming weeks.

…. Don’t blink! Here we go Tigers! lets be the biggest voices on court as always. See you game day