A record breaking school netball team is set to represent Dacorum at the Herts School Games at Wodson Park, Ware, on Thursday, June 26.

St Paul’s Church of England VA Primary School, The Common, Chipperfield, has won every local competition it has entered this academic year, culminating in success at a 7-a-side netball tournament on Friday.

The school, which entered two sides in a 25 team tournament at Cavendish Secondary School, Hemel Hempstead, saw the "A" team win the competition and the "B" team get to the quarter-finals.

The A team came out on top after coming second in their pool, before winning every remaining match to become district champions.

The team overcame Bridgewater in the final, despite losing to the same team in the group stages.

Sarah Smith, a year six teacher and PE coordinator at the school said: "I am incredibly proud, it has been a lot of hard work, I don’t want them to go at the end of the year.

"The girls work really well together and are very good friends which helps. They seem to know where each other are on court and are not greedy for the ball. I have been really impressed with their sportsmanship- before celebrating they always shake hands with the other team and sing three cheers." 

The team, which is made up of year six students and one year five student also won a five-a-side tournament in March and won the league which was comprised of other local schools.
Two boys also participated in the 5-a-side tournament.

In the league, the school won every single one of their games. 

The team, which is coached by Sarah and one of the parents, Jo O’Sullivan, train once a week after school, with lunchtime practice sessions being used when possible.

Sarah praised Jo’s role within the team.

She said: "She is amazing and so passionate about netball.  She has supported me and the school, and umpires most of the matches."