Tibberton Netball Club juniors have just completed their inaugural summer tour to Wales. Coaches from the club took three junior teams to Cardiff on Friday 8 July 2005 to play friendly matches against local sides.

On Friday night the girls headed off in there bright red tour t-shirts to Cardiff, and arrived at the YHA at 9.00pm. After a quick briefing the girls were sent to  their dorm’s for an early night !!!,  leaving the coaches and umpires to their tea and biscuits.

Saturday morning was an early start with the squads setting off to UWIC campus. On arrival Siobhan Byrne, who is a student at UWIC, took the squads on a tour of the campus, then back to the courts for a full warm up.

The under 14 teams were very successful - Tibberton Tornadoes won all four of their matches over the weekend while Tibberton Tigers won both matches on Saturday and one of two matches on Sunday. The under 16 team, Tibberton Twisters, won both of their matches on Saturday but narrowly lost both matches on Sunday due to injuries. Throughout the weekend, the girls had to cope with temperatures over 30 degrees.

June Byrne, club manager, said “It was most enjoyable to play teams from out of our area in friendly but competitive matches. The tour was a great success and memorable for our players, coaches and umpires”.

A special mention must also go to the 3 squads who were given the ‘Star’s in your eye’s’ challenge  on Saturday night. All teams provided unforgettable entertainment, but the award went to the Tiger ‘s squad, who were very topical in their choice of ‘Big Brother’.  Following on from the variety show, all players and umpires had to swear there allegiance to the club after they were all initiated.

Tour organizer and lead coach Nicolette Murray said “I’d like to thank our coaches  Teresa Reynolds, Shaun Reynolds and Siobhan Byrne,  and our two umpires Jo Jarvis and Jackie Charlesworth, and June Byrne our Club Manager. This tour wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Twisters – Cathy Drew, Rachel Massie, Lauren Burrows, Amy Parrish, Gemma Clissold, Katherine Parkes, Emily Davies

Tornados – Libby Nash, Amelia Reynolds, Leanne Graham, Jade Jarvis, Hannah Parrish, Tessa McPhillips, Rebecca Newton, Freya Thomas

Tigers – Harriet Pratt, Kelly Thomas, Janicke Pilkington, Tanya Parker-Boakes, Leigh Miller, Lulu Davies, Zoe Vaughn, Ellie Morris, Felicity Ashton

Leanne Graham

Junior Press Officer