Elite sports students net success at national tournament

COLEG CAMBRIA scored success at a national sporting event.

Four teams from Cambria competed at the Welsh Colleges National Sport Championships in Cardiff.

Stars of the show were the netball squad, who went one better than last year and won the final to be crowned champions.

Cambria Druids Football put up a good performance but were unable to reach the quarter finals in their section, while Nomads Cambria Football made it to the last eight.

The women’s football side also impressed on the day with an impressive run to the semi finals.

Coleg Cambria’s Director of Curriculum for Sport and Public Services, Sally Jones – who has herself represented Wales at netball – was delighted for all the students and Sports Lecturer Danielle Coxey, who helped lead the team to glory.

“Everyone who took part did Coleg Cambria proud,” said Sally.

“The standard was very high so for us to have made such progress is testament to the quality of our Elite Cambria programme and the students themselves, who are all dedicated and passionate about their respective sports.”

She added: “I am particularly thrilled for the netball team following the disappointment of last year when we sadly fell short in the final.

“To come back and win the tournament is a fantastic feeling; there’s no way we were going to let that happen again and their commitment has been rewarded – they’re now the Welsh champions and I’m incredibly proud of them.”

The netballers will now go on to represent Wales in the AoC (Association of Colleges) British Championships in Nottingham next year against the other home nations. 

Several of the group to are expected to be called up to take part in trials for the Welsh Colleges squad, coached by Sally.

Meanwhile, student Savannah Palin has been selected for the Welsh Colleges Women’s Football squad, coached by Cambria Sports Lecturer Sean Regan, and 10 players were selected for the Welsh Colleges Men’s side.

“Our sporting success in recent times has been incredible given a lot of our teams were only founded in the last year or two,” said Sally.

“As part of our Active Cambria initiative, Elite Cambria strives for excellence in sport, but also aims to improve health and wellbeing in students and our communities. We will continue to do so and thank everyone for their support.”