NETBALL: Urdd Gwyrdd make history on the national stage
What a tremendous season it has been for history-making North Wales netball team Urdd Gwyrdd.
After winning the Under-14s North West Junior League and division three of the adult league this season, Gwyrdd achieved a magnificent second place in Wales’ U14 National Club Championships.
In the process, they made history as the first team from North West Wales to reach the cup final in this annual competition.
The squad is made up of 12 girls from the Eryri and Môn area who have been a part of Clwb Pêl Rwyd Sêr yr Urdd, previously set up and run by local rugby talent Rhodd Parry and netball ace Gwenan Williams for many years.
The girls finished in first place in the North West Junior League to qualify for the National Club Championships, alongside Menai Mavericks who qualified in second. Local teams Thunderstorm and Silyn Glas also competed in the U12s competition the previous day with Thunderstorm runners-up in the plate final.
The Urdd Gwyrdd girls had their sights set on doing well at this competition, targeting a top three finish when preparations began this time last year.
The U14s competition took place at Canolfan Brailsford, Bangor with 15 teams from across the nation taking part.
Urdd Gwyrdd sailed through the group stages to finish top of their pool which left them challenging for a place in the cup in the knockout stages.
They comfortably beat Swansea team Sketty Stars 20-16 and Morganite 21-10 to secure their place in the semis against Cardiff based CTK, with captains Lowri Morris and Sara Jones leading the team exceptionally.
Following a tough schedule, the girls ground out a 20-16 win against CTK to secure their place in the final against Cardiff based Cherubs Angels.
With a tight turnaround from the semis to the finals, the girls gave their absolute all and played some fantastic netball over both halves, but unfortunately suffered their first loss of the day to the well deserved winners of the competition.
Despite this, the girls made history in being the first club from the area to reach the final of this national competition and left with their heads held high.
Coach Cara Roberts said: “As their coach, I am unbelievably proud of each player for their relentless efforts and for displaying true class and sportsmanship throughout the day.
“It’s truly been an honour to work with such talented athletes who really put the work in on and off the court. We have thoroughly enjoyed the process of building towards this success together and I am so thankful to the girls for putting a smile on my face with their infectious personalities, week in and week out.
“We have been overwhelmed with the support from the local community and hope to have inspired the next group of netballers coming through the age ranks.”
The Urdd have a number of junior netball sessions on in the community as well as spaces to join the Netball Club. Contact gwionjohn@urdd.org for more details.