2 mins
Roses are champions once more at Europe Netball U17s
England U17 successfully defended their title at the Europe Netball U17 Championship in Gibraltar, with just three members of last year’s side returning this time around in captain Daisy Lees, vice-captain Neve Marsden and Hannah Gibson, meaning nine athletes won their first U17 caps on the international stage.
PHOTO BY NEIL WILSON
C/WA Lees led by example, picking up three Player of the Match awards, with GD/GK Zaneya Cunningham scooping the honour in the final game of the competition.
Competing at the home of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup, for which the entire squad will still be eligible for selection, the young Roses began their campaign on International Women’s Day with an impressive 81-14 win against the Republic of Ireland.
A delighted Lees said: “As a team, the spirit was really high – we went out on court and smashed it. We settled in, stuck to task and did everything we wanted.”
PHOTO BY NEIL WILSON
England U17 then faced the challenge of back-to-back matches with UAE U17 and Wales U17. Former Rose and Interim Roses Academy Head Coach Leah Kennedy saw her side overcome UAE U17 with a 74-30 victory, with GA/GS Gibson saying: “Our confidence grew throughout the match. We were really disciplined to build on our connections and I think we definitely showed that in our performance.”
The young Roses were quickly back out on court to face Wales U17 and once again topped the 70-goal mark as they ran out 79-34 winners.
With the support of family and friends in the arena and back home, including Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby watching on, the team headed into the final day of the competition with momentum building and their unbeaten record intact.
A closely contested game against Scotland U17 saw the young Roses remain calm and composed as they saw out a 60-34 win to complete a clean sweep.
Kennedy says: “Europe Netball is a great opportunity to showcase the depth within the squad and the talent England have coming through the system. We are really excited about this group of athletes, who provide us with some electrifying, dynamic and creative combinations. It’s also such a useful experience to develop potential future leaders. Daisy is an influential character both on and off the court.”
PHOTO BY NEIL WILSON
England U17 squad
Lexi J Win Barrigan WA, C – Manchester Thunder
Millie Burns GK, GD – Saracens Mavericks
Zaneya Cunningham GD, GK – London Pulse
Sascha Dale WA, C – Team Bath
Hannah Gibson GA, GS – London Pulse
Daisy Lees (captain) C, WA – Manchester Thunder
Shannon Mahlik GA, GS – Manchester Thunder
Neve Marsden (vice-captain) GS, GA – Team Bath
Gracie Smith C, WD – Saracens Mavericks
Cody Sullivan GK, GD – North East
Coco Williams GS, GA – London Pulse
Neve Wright GK, GD – Surrey Storm