TBirds crowned Back to Netball regional champs

New team Teignmouth Thunderbirds (TBirds) Cougars were proud champions in the Regional Back to Netball Festival after a classy 6-2 win over runners up Swaggamamas on Sunday 24th January 2016.

TBirds made it eight wins out of eight in the Back to Netball Festival, organised by England Netball beating 15 teams from across the region to win the tournament at Paignton Sports Hub.  

It was an encouraging display from the new Back to Netball Club squad, who largely controlled proceedings. 

After an even start against Quayside Netball Club, the TBirds began to dominate their 6 games in Pool A, with formidable mid-court defence from Centre Claire Tooth, Wing Defence Tania Stone and Wing Attack Lucy Ellison who stepped up mid-court defence to tip and intercept the attacking opposition. 

TBirds defenders Marie Hamilton-Coish, Julie Cook, Ceara Ovens and Jess Sheardown kept their cool under pressure, took possession and gained control of the goal circle.

The TBirds squad of 10 players worked effectively on rotation, to ensure that all players had court time and slogged through almost 2-hours of netball play. 

Shooters Jaimie Rosser, Cat Chadwick and Emily Wilton worked hard to battle for rebounds and seal the TBirds win in the final.

TBirds Coach and Teignbridge Community Sport Award winner Angela Rimmer commented: “I’m delighted with the TBirds performance today, especially as the players are brand new to netball league competition and love playing together. 

"The local England Netball Development Officer has been wonderfully supportive to TBirds in helping us to get up and running over the last year and in staging this fantastic event for new players, we are very grateful for the help we’ve received."