Corps Netball

REME success at Inter Corps Competition Oct 21

Scribe: Cfn Maddie Hempell

wWow what a jump! Brigadier Faithfull-Davies impressively defending the shot REME Netball 2021 Lt Col Ellis focused on goal

On the week of the 18 Oct 21, a number of players from across the Corps got together to compete in the Inter-Corps Netball competition. The players involved ranged from Craftsman still in their trade training, up to Brigadier. After a successful training period at Lyneham, the REME entered two teams into the competition, which is an achievement in itself, given the numbers of females within the Corps.

Team A was made up of a mix of the more experienced players while the Team B were a brand-new team that made their strong debut at the competition. Team REME were very fortunate to also have Lt Col Laura Ellis (the current Army netball coach) to aid in giving both teams advice on court. She joined the REME Team A and with her accurate shooting and experience, guided the team through to the Final.

Team B were fortunate to have Captain Jennifer Thomas as their team manager, who mentored the less experienced members of the squad and encouraged everyone when they were up against the eventual winners of Div 2 (RLC B Team). Although Team B were a new and young team compared to their rivals, they still managed to win two games and give some more experience teams, a competitive game.

REME Team B Cfn Burn the youngest squad member with many years of REME Netball ahead of her

Great defence by Cfn Soso Cfn Soso on the attack

Day 2 of the competition had VIP guests from across the Army. Team REME had the opportunity to play with Brigadier Lizzie Faithfull-Davies, she also gave the team a chance to talk to her in a more informal way on the side-lines. Team A were the only team to beat the AGC team during the pool phase, who were unbeaten in this competition since 2014, and in doing so made it through to the Finals of Division 1. However, after a serious injury to a starting player in the first 2 mins of the final which unsettled the team, they were unable to get over the final hurdle and were the runner up. It should be noted for context, that this is the first time ever that REME have reached the final in the competition and the first time that the final hasn’t been contested by the top four teams (AMS, AGC, RLC or R Signals) for over 10 years.

Team REME also had 5 players invited to trial for the Army squad, with 4 (Capt Tognarelli 103 Bn REME, Cfn Wright 3 Bn REME, Cfn Soso & Cfn Vermeulen 8 Trg Bn REME) successfully making it onto the squad for the 2021/22 season.

If anyone is interested in playing netball for the REME, please contact:

Capt Katie Hawkins:

Email: Kathryn-scarlett.Hawkins103@mod.gov.uk

Tel: 0300 158 7217

Capt Jenny Thomas:

Email: Jennifer.thomas201@mod.gov.uk

Tel: 0300 167 8862

There is weekly training on Wednesday afternoons in MOD Lyneham, we aim to have a UK based tour next summer and the intention is for a mixed netball competition in late 2022, so male or female players are welcome to all events.

Cfn Vermeulen a rising Corps Netball star

Fantastic support from all squad members

Well done Coach, Lt Col Ellis thoroughly deserved her Runners-Up trophy Captain Thomas delighted to be receiving her Runners-Up trophy