Credit: Ben Lumley
London Giants (men’s) and Stunts Netball (mixed) have been crowned champions at the 2024 EMMNA National Championships.
44 teams from 33 clubs took to court in over 160 high energy and hotly contested games from 23-25 August at Loughborough University.
The record-breaking number of entries into the 2024 event showcased the rapid trajectory of men’s and mixed netball with the inaugural Championships at Nottingham Trent University in 2021 having featured six men’s and eight mixed teams.
For the first time in the competition’s history, there was also an added international dimension with Netball France and Netball America making their debuts.
🎉 Huge congratulations to the American Netball Team 🇺🇸🏐for an incredible performance, finishing 7th out of 32 teams at the 2024 Netball UK Mixed Nationals! Special highlight: Nat Metcalf from the England Vitality Roses presenting the team with their kits! #NetballAmerica #EMMNA pic.twitter.com/Op6aJwv3AW
— Netball America (@NetballAmerica) August 28, 2024
With 43 umpires overseeing affairs and a passionate group of volunteers on hand, the event ran smoothly and successfully.
Speaking about the competition, Dean Iyavoo from Devon Dynamites said: “11-year-old me would have absolutely loved the opportunity to play in a club, so it’s a bit of a full circle moment.”
While EMMNA Director of Development Jen Walsh celebrated the talent on show, tweeting: “Ready for the emergence of some new England Thorns and Trailblazers. Passion, resilience, flair. Watch out world!”
Over the course of the three days, lots of Netball Super League stars, including the most capped Vitality Rose Jade Clarke, Proscovia Peace-Nwokocha and four-time Netball Super League champion Kerry Almond, turned out for teams in the biggest men’s and mixed netball event in the UK.
Vitality Rose Ellie Rattu was also in attendance on the Saturday – take a look at her behind-the-scenes perspective of the competition.
@englandnetball Join Vitality Rose @Ellie_Aasha as she spends the day at the EMMNA Nationals last weekend! 🤩 #FYP #ForYouPage #EnglandNetball #ForYou #NetballTiktok #Netball #Vitality #Viral #EMMNA #VitalityRoses #Nationals ♬ Living In A Haze (Instrumental) – Milky Chance
After the opening two days of competition, a noisy crowd filled the venue on the Sunday and were treated to two fantastic finals.
Defending champions Knights Netball went head-to-head with London Giants who came out on top in the clash of the titans to add a third title – 2021, 2022 and now 2024 – to their name.
Meanwhile in the mixed event, Stunts Netball ran out victorious against Leeds Fury to get their hands on the silverware.
Despite defeat in the final, England Thorn and Leeds Fury captain James McClelland was named Mixed Player of the Tournament.
After a dream debut, including a top four finish, Norfolk United’s Martyn Nantongwe scooped the Men’s Player of the Tournament accolade.
Northern Titans’ young gun Charlie Lough was crowned the Rising Star of the UK National Championships 2024.
Every game during the competition was streamed live and they’re all still available to (re-)watch – buy your pass here!
Congratulations to all involved at London Giants (men’s) and Stunts Netball (mixed) on winning the titles, as well as everyone who worked to make the event even bigger and better than previous years.
If you want more information on men’s or mixed netball and to find out where to play in England, visit EMMNA’s website or find a session or club through EMMNA’s local club finder.
Make sure you’re also following EMMNA on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and content, including to find out which athletes were recognised in the Teams of the Tournament.
