Exeter College Netball Team Win First Ever College Treble

The playing squad consisted of: Charlotte Steer (Vice Captain) GS, Ella Williams GA, Jemma Potter WA, Lily Tomlinson C, Caitlin Jeffery (Captain) WD, Iris Hindley GD, Hannah Rae GK, Abi Down GS, Lottie Armstrong WD, Abi Greenslade WD, Emily Churchill GD, Kitty Sampson C, Bronwin Stewart C, Annie Grief GD, and Tilly Spong WD. The team have won over 40 games in one season to be crowned the champions three times over.

Charlotte Steer, Vice-Captain said:
“It was such a proud moment for me, winning with all the girls I have grown up playing netball with was surreal. Winning one title was great but to become the first college to win all three was the best and I'm so glad we were all a part of it."

The treble success began where the team became AoC Sport National Play-Off Premier League Champions. Exeter College joined Barking Abbey, Hartpury, and Queen Ethelburga’s in Walsall at the finals, as the top four teams across the South, Midlands, and North Premier Division leagues. Exeter was drawn against Barking Abbey and won 37-26, during a competitive and physical game. The team then met Hartpury in the final securing an impressive win of 34-30 to take the first of the three titles.

The team then fought hard again and won the gold medal at the AoC Sport National Championships in Nottingham. After an intense competition, the South West region were presented winners of the Wilkinson Sword, the first time the region has won the coveted title since 2016 - which the Netball team also contributed towards by winning Gold. The squad won the title in a round robin competition over other colleges, including Hartpury College, Bilborough College, Greenhead College, Hartlepool College, and Worthing College to take home the second of the titles and become the AoC Sport National College’s Champions.

The final achievement came when the team came out on top in an amazing and tight fought match against Hartpury, winning 41-40 to win the AoC Sport National Netball Knockout Cup. The AoC cup sees teams drawn from all over the country and having to win each game to progress onto the next round.

Andy Perlejewski, AoC Sport Competitions Manager, said:
“AoC Sport congratulate Exeter College for their outstanding achievement in winning the National Netball Knockout Cup, the Premier League play-off final and the gold medal at the National Championships. This the first time a team has won the treble and we commend the students for their commitment and application over a long season and the staff for coaching the team to such a high standard.”

Hollie Greenaway, Academy Lead at Exeter College said:
“Winning just one of these competitions is a fantastic achievement but to win the treble is simply phenomenal and I am so proud of every player that has contributed to the success of the team. A special mention must go to the rest of the Netball Academy players in the second and third teams. Their support of the players has been unwavering and as a whole Academy they have been a pleasure to coach.

“The first team have been dedicated in their commitment towards training over the past two years and the resilience they have shown to win over 40 games in total during one season and finishing by winning the treble is extraordinary and they will go down in history. I wish them all the best as they leave Exeter College and continue to play Netball at their clubs and University destinations.”

Sam White, Netball Coach at Exeter College said:
“This prestigious treble status is a huge credit to the demanding work that the girls have put in over the past two years. Even during the lockdowns, they worked tirelessly with Hollie and Lucy remotely over zoom with workouts and pair strength training, which I believe increased their motivation, resilience, and their mental well-being. The players are an exceptional group of athletes and truly deserve this tremendous accolade. They are a credit to themselves, the coaches and the College and we could not be prouder of them.”