Exciting season for UStA Netball as two teams secure promotions in the BUCS League
The 2024-25 season has been hugely exciting and successful for the University of St Andrews Netball Club. Here is a write-up Netball team’s captain, Georgina Hull, has provided:
Our 1st team had an amazing run the Scottish Cup. They played National League teams in some very exciting and close fought matches to reach the quarterfinals. Additionally, they performed outstandingly in BUCS Scottish 1A. Their final match was against Edinburgh 2s, and they needed a win to secure their place in the Prem North Playoffs. It was a tight game all the way through, and they went into the last quarter 3 goals up before coping with player injury in the last quarter to win by 2.
Captain Ellie Allen commented, ‘the 1s have had an absolutely incredible season from start to finish. When we set out our goals back in September, our main focus was growth as we were a brand-new team with only three players from last season. However, we have gone way above what we all thought was ever possible clinching a league title. We also went on a long and exciting run in the Scottish Cup facing some top national level clubs. The season has been filled with unforgettable moments from our nail-biting extra time win over Dunedin in the Cup, to securing the top place spot in the league. It has truly been a year to remember.’
The team went on to play Nottingham 2s away in their first playoff match, putting out a highly commendable performance against the extremely strong home team.
Squad list: Ellie Allen (C), Bella Howarth (VC), Stella Lucano (VC), Olivia Howdle, Alice Nicolson, Beatrice Mills, Francesca Slade, Emily Brown, Molly Claassen, Darcey Hundleby.
The 2nd team were promoted at the end of last season into BUCS Scottish 2A. After a tentative start with some close away losses, fortune turned, and confidence grew after a run of wins at home. They placed third in the league but the main testament to their growth over the season was by reaching the Conference Cup Final. This is the furthest any Saints Netball Team has ever placed in this knockout event. Their journey there wasn’t easy as they faced a semifinal match away in Aberdeen. Coming out of the first quarter they were down by 6, and steadily over the course of the match stayed resilient to incrementally rectify the deficit and finally win by 9 goals.
Squad list: Georgina Hull (C), Millie Pike (VC), Heather Tasker, Amy Gordon, Lulu Moore, Bonnie White, Chloe Crace, Emily Foster, Kiera Miel-Delbederi, Cara Philipson.
Similarly, our 5th team were also promoted at the end of last season, and in their new league only lost one match by one goal!
Captain Holly Herron said, ‘as the season wraps up, I just wanted to say how proud I am of everything we achieved together as the 5s. After being promoted to a new league we were in for some tough competition, but we came together to face the challenge. To win almost every match we played is testament for hard work, determination and teamwork everyone has put in. Every player in the team has contributed on and off the court to make the season so special. I think it’s also important to say a massive thank you to our coach Sophie. We have been so lucky to have her at every training session and match this year and I don’t know what we would have done without her. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to play with and captain such an incredible team this year and I’m so excited to see whether next year takes us.’
Squad list: Holly Herron (C), Annie Harris (VC), Charlotte Long, Sophia Uglow, Joni Smith, Erin Ferguson, Amy Bartholomew, Maddie Gallon, Amelie Conlin, Eleanor Francis, Thuy Romoli.
We are immensely proud of how the club has excelled this year and cannot wait to see what the 2025-26 season has to offer!’
Many congratulations to the UStA Netball teams for all their achievements this academic year!