Promotional Feature
The King's School's netball hot shots are hitting the heights on the national stage thanks to a dramatically improved youth development programme.
At School, for their counties, for their national franchise teams and for the England Academy, girls are benefitting from better coaching and guidance.
Early in the season, a stunning 15 young women have earned either county, franchise or national honours, with star player Lydia Hine, selected for the England Roses Academy.
Lydia, 16, from Bradnop, has been playing since she was just 7-years-old and is a tough, determined defender and astute playmaker. She said: "Women's team sports are better than they have ever been. The Lionesses winning the Euros was fantastic and the netball and hockey teams are doing brilliantly as well.
"It is a real inspiration for girls coming up and I just want to continue to give 100 per cent, work hard, train hard and see where it takes me."
Lydia doesn't only work hard at her sport having just earned eight 9s, two 8s and a 6 in her GCSEs as one of King's academic high flyers.
King's netball coach Phil Owen said: "Over the last 10 years, England Netball has developed a clear pathway for young talent leading to the Roses Academy. Our players have bought into that drive for excellence and know if they work hard there they can be recognised at county, franchise and national level."
Lottie Baxter, Madi's younger sister, is playing for both Cheshire under-13s and Manchester Thunder 13s. Lottie said: "It's great having a sister who plays netball. We practice against each other in the garden and occasionally I will win, but she's very good."
Minty Kight has been selected for the under-17 Manchester Thunder squad; Bea Worlock plays for Staffordshire under-15s and the Lougborough Lightning franchise, while Aimee Venables is in the Cheshire under-17 squad and Daisy Sutton continues to play above her age group for Cheshire under-17.
Minnie Farooq has been selected for Cheshire under-13s and Manchester Thunder U13s; Lottie Winterton is in the Cheshire under 12 squad and Manchester Thunder U12s; Eva Sheppard is in the Cheshire under 12s and Manchester Thunder U12 development squad; while Anvita Lalwani and Naina Vasireddy have both been selected for the Cheshire under 12 squad. Also receiving call-ups are Esme Sutton for the Cheshire under-15s and Manchester Thunder; Cheshire under-13 player and Manchester Thunder U13 Lola Bianchi, and Manchester Thunder under-14 star Lalli Brown.
Photos: Pictured behind Lydia are some of the schools many young talented players. Madi Baxter is a clinical Goal Shooter for the under-17 Loughborough Lightning Academy, while Hattie Usher has been selected for Cheshire under-13s and Manchester Thunder U13 squad.
Sisters Madi and Lottie Baxter.
Manchester Thunder and Cheshire under-15 star Esme Sutton.
