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England Trailblazers shine in Singapore
The Men’s Netball Nations Series in Singapore in December featured national open men’s teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, along with the Australian U23s. The England U23 Trailblazers made their international debut, and performed admirably.
Consisting of 14 players between the ages of 14 and 23, the Trailblazers faced experienced opponents in six days of intense competition as well as contending with Singapore’s hot and humid conditions.
Each game pushed the players to their limit, with tight results in every match. The team continued to grow and improve throughout the tournament, becoming crowd favourites. Former England Rose Chelsea Pitman was also there to cheer them on in their match against Australia. With their never-say-die attitude, they staged a number of thrilling comebacks, culminating in their nail-biting final playoff match against Malaysia, which ended in a heart-breaking one-goal loss in extra time. While they did not emerge victorious, the Trailblazers left a lasting impression; representing themselves and their country with pride, and England player Ross McCartney-Oliphant was awarded Player of the Tournament.
The primary goal of taking part in this tournament was for the players to gain valuable international experience and to understand the level required to compete on the international stage.
Determined to build on their performance, the Trailblazers are more focused than ever on training, and preparing to compete once again in Singapore this December.
If you know of any male players aged between 15 and 23 with a passion for netball who aspire to represent England, please contact Trailblazers@englandmmna.com for information on how to get involved.