Report by Clare Cox

BROMLEY schools are producing some of the best netball players in the region with girls preparing to take on national competition.

The highly-successful Telstars Netball Club, run by Anita Hollman, has players from Bromley High School, Blackbrook Lane, Bickley.

In particular the under-14 team has won all their games so far in the Kent County League and are aiming for a place in the regional and national finals.

Last year the team reached the top 20 in England and this time round they are aiming for the top spot.

Player Debi Ubochi said: "Last year we beat every south east netball club and won through to the finals but that was last year and now we have to do it all over again.

"So far we have won four out of four."

Hollman said: "The girls got a bit of a shock last year as they had got used to winning everything and then met opposition of a very high standard.

"This experience is carrying the team through their matches now.

"But regional success is one thing, national is another and they cannot afford to get complacent.

"The girls really enjoy playing against teams from around the country and it is a fantastic experience for them."

Telstars under-16s are playing at an even higher standard in the North West Kent League Division Two after the senior team moved to regional and national leagues.

Meanwhile Colfe's School, Horn Park Lane, Lee, has had outstanding and unexpected success winning the annual Kent Schools Tournament.

The victory earns them a place in the next regional round and they have an eye on the national finals.

Colfe's won six out of seven matches in the tournament's first round, pitching them against an undefeated Bexley Grammar School in the quarter-finals.

Although they were level at full time, the team held their nerve and won through with a golden goal.

Next to fall were Hayes in the semis where Carly Hennah, Katie Murray and Annabelle Rowe stole the show and guided Colfe's through.

Benenden School, Cranbrook, finally stopped Colfe's in their tracks in a hotly-contested final but second place was enough to put them through to the regional round.

Colfe's' team captain Sam Holder said: "I was so proud of my team and couldn't have asked anything more of them.

"We're so chuffed to be the first Colfe's' netball team to reach the finals of the Kent tournament and the first netball team from the school to get through to the next stage of the competition".

Next stop for the team is a half-term tour of Malta and coach and teacher Nicci Starkey said: "The idea is to get a variety of playing experiences to help the girls improve even more.

"The team are bonding well now and the tour should reinforce our achievements so far.

"We are really looking forward to playing the Maltese national team, it will be a great experience as well as a massive challenge."