Vi Sport Netball Tournament - 12th October 2005
posted 20 Oct 05

For more pictures see the - Tournament gallery

Tournament Report

On Wednesday 12 October, Cookstown High School hosted the Vi-Sport, EMU Cross border netball tournament in Cookstown Leisure Centre.

This is an annual tournament played between 5 schools, 3 from Northern Ireland and 2 of the top netball schools in Southern Ireland. The schools taking part were Rathdown School (Dublin), Mount Anville (Dublin), Sacred Heart (Newry), Banbridge Academy and Cookstown High School. The inaugural competition was 2 years ago in Banbridge with last year being at Rathdown in Dublin.

Altogether 10 twenty minute matches were played in around robin competition. As the day progressed the standard of play improved and it became clear that the final result would be dependant upon the outcome of the Cookstown/Banbridge game. Altogether Cookstown played four matches, beating Sacred Heart 14-6, Rathdown School 11-8 and Mount Anville 23-3. In the deciding match against Banbridge both teams started off nervously and at half-time Cookstown were losing 5-4. At the restart Cookstown were soon down 6-4 but Grace (captain) and a very determined CHS team focused their concentration and fought back. Through excellent defending and goal shooting the team went on to win 12-8.

This is the third year in succession the Cookstown has won. Runners up were Banbridge Academy and Sacred Heart were third.

Overall, the competition proved to be a great success and the visiting teams were very appreciative of the hospitality provided and the support.

Following the competition the girls met in Cookstown Hockey Club for a beautiful buffet supper prepared by Joanne Loughran.

The Southern teams then stayed overnight at Loughrey College before travelling back to Dublin the following day.

Cookstown High School Senior team: Mrs Heather Campbell (Coach), Grace (Captain), Hanna, Sheryl, Lisa, Paula, Laura, Rosalyn, Laura, Gail, Rebecca, Christina, Rachel.

Mrs Campbell, Cookstown High’s netball coach, would like to thank all of those who provided support and sponsorship towards the running of the event. Particular thanks must go to:

• Sergeant Flo Ferry of PSNI Cookstown for the hire of the Sports Hall for the day.
• Mrs Maureen Doyle from the Community Relations Department of Cookstown District Council who sponsored the hire of the minor hall and provided medals for the winning teams.
• Oliver McShane, Cookstown District Council’s Sport Development Officer, and Eunan Murray for the provision of ‘goodie bags’ for all players.
• Mrs Adele Sloan, acting Head teacher at Cookstown High, for the provision of lunch and the subsidising of the evening meal for all participants
• Glen and Tina Lindsay and all of the staff at Cookstown Leisure Centre for their assistance throughout the day.
• Kate Harrup, Northern Ireland Netball development officer who attended in an official capacity and assisted with the umpiring.
• Councillor Patsy McGlone, Chairperson of Cookstown District Council, for presenting the trophy and medals to the winning teams.
• Mrs Margaret McCammon, Mrs Judith Freeburn and members of Cookstown High School senior squad for their assistance with the time-keeping and scoring.
• Mr Alan Ferguson who assisted in the evening and arranged the use of Cookstown Hockey Club