A promising Yarm School netball player is set for national glory after earning a place at England Netball’s U17 National Academy camps.
Following a successful trial at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, Annike Jinadu will now attend the training camps during Easter and in the summer.
Annike, who plays in the Goalkeeper position, is one of only two girls in the region to be selected for the camps and will compete for a place in the England U17 netball squad for the 2016/17 season.
She said: “I was over the moon to have been selected, as it was unexpected given the level of competition there was during the trials. I am very proud to be in this position and I am now looking forward to the training camps, where hopefully I can impress and make the final cut.”
Naomi Redhead-Sweeney, Head of Girls’ Games at Yarm School, added: “This is a fantastic achievement for Annike who is a promising talent in the sport. To be only one of two girls selected in the North East is fantastic news, and I would like to wish her all the very best at her upcoming training camp.”
Yarm School has enjoyed a successful period with its netball sides as its U16 Girls’ team featured at the finals of the National Schools’ Competition – England Netball’s flagship school contest – after winning seven games from seven at a regional tournament.
David Dunn, Headmaster of Yarm School, said: “We have enjoyed a superb netball season, so far, and our pupils work extremely hard – both on and off the court – which has contributed to this success. Annike has been an outstanding performer throughout and I am thrilled that she has been selected to attend such prestigious training camps with England Netball.
“This is the first time a pupil from the school has been selected, so hopefully there will be many more in the future. Everyone here is full of support for Annike and I’m positive that she will impress the coaches.”