On Saturday morning, 54 school teams from across the country will make their way to Stanborough School in Welwyn Garden City aiming to be crowned 2016/17 National Schools Champions!
We look forward to welcoming the netball family to a fabulous facility with 9 brand new outdoor courts which were installed at Stanborough School less than a year ago.
Teams representing three separate age categories – U14s, U16s and U19s will go into battle across 25 Rounds before our semi-finalists are confirmed.
It has already been a remarkable journey for the schools that have qualified, with the top two sides in each age group from nine regions securing their place at the prestigious national event.
Of the 54 schools competing on Saturday, 18 are repeat qualifiers from last year’s tournament.
In the U14 category, local team Berkhamsted will be hoping to retain their title while runners-up Guildford High School will be hoping to go one step further.
Returning to defend their U16s crown will be Grammar School at Leeds. The same goes for their successful U19 side, although Beaconsfield High will provide a danger once more having finished in second place last time out.
It could be a historic day for Grammar School at Leeds though as they have representatives across all three age groups, the only school to achieve this at the 2016/17 finals.
Play commences at 9am with the semi-finals starting from approximately 4:15pm and finals from 4:45pm.
You can stay updated with all of the action by following us on twitter @England_Netball and using the hashtag #NatSchools17.
