Our very own school years 4-6 team continue the amazing season this club has had by securing yet another trophy to put in the cabinet for Bedford Tigers in their inaugural year!

The Jades side made up of years 4, 5 and 6 school girls from across the county started their netball journey with some early challenges in the league, struggling to get a result at times and even to find the net.
The team grew into the season and individuals found their skill set throughout the whole team. As they pushed into the back end of season, the girls found themselves on quite the ‘hot streak’, only being bested by top of the league ‘Nebulas’ in the last month of the season, winning every other game they played in, in division 3.

Drawn into the ‘Dragons Cup’ as part of the versatility tournament, with their run of form there was a real opportunity to bring some further ‘silverware’ back to home to the Tigers. The group consisted of the Kittens and Kubs from Maulden, Mars and Mercury from our neighbouring Westoning teams. All teams which we have had joy against.

The cups are played different; played on quarters, each quarters result awarding 2 points for a quarter won, 1 point for a draw and nothing for a loss. It took some getting used to but seemed to suit the style of play of our young Tigers.

As we pushed into June results came thick and fast, not conceding a goal in the opening week of the tournament. Our games against Kubs and Mars were our games worth double, only playing them once, so despite a flying start a overall 2-1 loss to Westoning Mars quickly sighted the Mars team as our rivals for the cup.

The girls hard fought effort found them losing only one quarter throughout the 3 weeks of the cup but a number of drawn quarters made for an uncertain finish.
The delay and anticipation lasted another long week with no indication of what had been achieved.
But… after a deflating set of fixtures in a strangely placed handicap tournament last weekend, the announcement unknowingly that our girls pipped Westoning Mars to 1st place was exactly what these tenacious and hardworking girls needed to conclude the season. A huge high! And the smiles on their faces made it even more special as they proudly marched up to claim their individual trophies in front of a packed Bedford Academy crowd who had all gathered for end of seasons presentations. Gifted their well earned new mantle piece additions by a superstar of the game and a player for London Pulse will give them something to aspire too.

The joy from the most dedicated and vocal supporters of the league was echoing around the caged arena. The nerves were gone and relief that all their growth and hard work was not in vane. They deserved this moment in the spotlight! Well done girls.

… not forgetting their Sapphire sisters who had also waited a long time to claim their prizes as Division 2 league winners.

Quite the trophy cabinet already…. Who’s next?