Fast and Fierce Netball Action at Annual Inspiration Trust Tournament

UEA Sportspark was the venue for two days of Inspiration Trust Secondary Netball on Tuesday 25th and Thursday 27th March 2025. All nine schools fielded teams of Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students, with Year 7s and 9s playing on Tuesday, and Year 8s and 10s playing on Thursday. The event involved over 300 students battling it out across 288 matches in total. 

Both days began with team photos and tournament briefings, before getting straight into the action. Ten-minute games across three simultaneously running netball courts meant the action was constant, with teams playing high-quality and intense fixtures throughout the day. We witnessed some precision passing, dedicated defending and stellar shooting from all nine schools, as they faced off against each other school in the round-robin style tournament. 

Players showed great determination and teamwork throughout the tournament, with results often coming down to the final few seconds of each game. Players then showed fantastic sportsmanship to congratulate one another after each fixture. The netball on display was high quality and entertaining, leading to so many highly competitive games. The ability of each team was a massive credit to each school’s PE department, and all players represented their schools with pride. 

Paul Wayman, Inspiration Trust Sports Coordinator organised the event and said: 

“Wow! Another fantastic two days of netball for the Inspiration Trust! This year every player brought their A-game, and the quality of netball on show was at an all-time high! Players competed with great passion, and this created an intense and competitive tournament. A massive thanks to UEA Sportspark for hosting once again, their facilities and staff provided a professional environment for our students to compete in. A big thanks to our amazing PE staff as well, who managed teams, ensured all students navigated their way to each match, and provided first aid where necessary. 

Thank you as well to the student leaders from Sir Isaac Newton, who made running this tournament very smooth, and took care of essential jobs behind the scenes to keep everything on schedule. A special mention must also go out to our amazing group of umpires, we couldn’t have ran this tournament without them. Congratulations to the winning teams from each age groups, and the four players of the tournament for their fantastic performances!” 

Many students experienced playing competitive tournament netball for the first time and should be extremely proud of the way they performed. Players always battled to the final whistle, never gibing up and showing great team spirit. This contributed to a great and positive atmosphere around the Sportspark for both days.  

Experienced Norfolk netball umpires officiated all games and ensured a high level of netball was on display throughout the two days by working tirelessly. They were supported by student leaders from Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, who helped with scorekeeping, collecting results, timing matches and recording scores. This meant players were eagerly awaiting the results by the end of each day. The top three teams in each tournament received medals, and the four player of the tournament trophies were presented to winning students by ex-international umpire, East of England Netball President and Honorary Lifetime Member of England Netball Sheelagh Redpath. 

At the end of our two-day event, the results for each year group were as follows: 

Year 7: 

3rd – Thetford Academy

2nd – East Point Academy

1st – Hethersett Academy

Year 8: 

3rd – Hethersett Academy

2nd – Thetford Academy

1st – Great Yarmouth Charter Academy

Year 9: 

3rd – Wayland Academy

2nd – Hethersett Academy

1st – Cromer Academy

Year 10: 

3rd – Cromer Academy

2nd – Hethersett Academy

1st – Thetford Academy

Players of the Tournament: 

Year 7 – Erin J (Hethersett Academy) 

Year 8 – Fran G (Great Yarmouth Charter Academy)  

Year 9 – Ella B (Cromer Academy) 

Year 10 – Rosie MJ (Thetford Academy)