On Wednesday 22nd April, a squad of 9 Year 6 netball players travelled to Comberton VC, to compete in the SCSSP 'SHIELD' Netball FINALS 2026.

The team had already competed in Rounds 1 and 2, winners in both rounds and undefeated! The SHIELD FINAL is for the top 14 teams in the SCSSP, who either won or finished as runners-up in their local competitions, the remaining 'A' teams playing in a 'PLATE' final the following day.

We knew before we arrived that every match would be very tough and competitive, but the team were motivated and inspired by our 'B' team who had won their competition 'B' shield a week earlier!

We were put in a 'pool' with six other schools. The matches would be 10 minutes long, changing the bib rotation at half-time and at the end of each match, so that all players play in every position throughout the afternoon.

Our first match was against The Vine, with Swavesey winning 4-0. Our next was against Milton, winning 8-0 this time. Histon Park was our next match, which we won 5-2. We then played Great Abington, who we knew would be hard to beat, but the team showed great resilience, winning 2-1 this time, in a close match. Our penultimate match was against Linton Heights, with another win of 6-0. Going into our final match of the 'pool', the team really wanted to try and remain undefeated. The match was against Barton and was very 'end to end', but Swavesey finished with a 4-2 victory.

Teams had to wait for their play-off positions in the final rounds. We knew that with 6 WINS, we would be playing for a 1st or 2nd place position, so the team were VERY excited! We were to play Histon Brook in the final, who had also won all of their games in their 'pool'.

The final match was a nail-biting 'end to end' once again, with the wind not helping at all for either team when they were shooting or passing the ball! After ten high-tempo minutes, the final whistle was blown, crowning Swavesey the shield winners with a 6-3 victory at the end. 

Swavesey has now qualified to compete in the COUNTY FINALS, representing the SCSSP, along with Histon Brook and the teams who finished 3rd and 4th. This will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 9th June, at Northstowe. This will be a competition for school partnerships from Peterborough, Wisbech, Cambridge City and further afield!

I'm sure that everybody at school is as proud of the team as I am. They all put 100% into the afternoon, showing great skill in defending as well as attacking and scoring lots of goals in quite a blustery wind. Thank you to the amazing parents / carers for coming along to support and transport the team once again. Thank you, Miss Bennett, for supporting me and the team at the event and the previous rounds throughout the season (you might be the lucky mascot?!!)

There are lots of photos in the photo gallery, including the shield we won, which wouldn't fit in the main headline photo!

Mrs Turian