Guernsey Netball has secured sponsorship with Dominion to support the Guernsey Under 19 Squad.
The U19 age group has typically been a difficult age group to field with A levels and university attendance impacting on player availability. However, in 2023 an exciting squad came together to compete and win in the Inter-Insulars, held in March. The newly formed U19 squad also attended South Region netball trials in May last year and qualified for the U19 Regional League for the 23/24 season. The season started in September and compromises of nine UK South Regional Teams. Games are played on a home and away basis, which provides the U19s with eight opportunities to showcase their talents locally. Currently sitting 7th in the league table with 2 games in hand the U19s have recorded a couple of wins along with a couple of very close contests which could have gone either way.
2024 sees the second half the season with games on a fortnightly basis. Sally Cairns, Head coach at the GNA said: “We are delighted that Dominion have come on board for 2024 to be our U19 main sponsors. The u19 squad compete in the South Region England Netball League and travel and train regularly. All 12 squad members also train within our Senior Performance programme and this financial support allows our sport to remain affordable for these girls who can focus fully on their on-court performance. With half the seasons still to play and inters against Jersey in March the squad are looking forward to continuing their success into 2024 with the support of Dominion.”
Tim Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Dominion said: “Dominion is delighted to be involved with Guernsey Netball and our sponsorship of the U19 team is the next step on our journey to becoming a household name in the island. Other sponsorships have already been announced and more will follow as we increase our involvement in local sport and more. Competitive sport is good for the mind, body and soul but we recognise that there are many challenges facing our small island and we will do whatever we can to assist the teams and individuals we are involved with in any way we can.
“Dominion was established in Guernsey in 2004 so this year is our 20th anniversary and it is the year that U19 Netball joins the Dominion family and we will put as much effort into making the relationship work as the girls put into playing and winning. 2023 was a fantastically successful year for the business and I am delighted that in some small way we can make a difference and help to make the team more successful and more accessible for all.”
