Over Christmas, our Senior Netballers travelled to Abu Dhabi to compete in the World Schools Festival. This international tournament brought together teams from the UAE, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and South Africa, providing the players with exposure to various tactical approaches and playing styles. Competing in both tournament-style fixtures and full-length matches the squad worked with great determination and tenacity against a high level of global opposition.
The trip successfully balanced competitive netball with training and cultural experiences. We were warmly welcomed by Cranleigh Abu Dhabi for a practice session, which served as an important opportunity for the group to train together and adapt to the warmer weather conditions. Beyond the court, the players explored the region’s landmarks, visiting the Grand Mosque, the Jubail light installations, SeaWorld, and Yas Mall. These excursions offered the squad a broader perspective of the UAE and a chance to bond as a team. Having gained this international experience, the players return well-prepared and focused for the start of the netball term.
