CULNC were delighted to host London Pulse on Saturday 1st October to launch their new partnership. Welcomes and photographs kick-started the match portion of the day, with twelve London Pulse players and fourteen CULNC players attending, alongside various coaches, parents, and supporters. The match play was split into eight 10-minute ‘quarters’ and from the very first centre pass it was clear it was set out to be a well-contested game full of great netball.
Both teams tried many combinations on court, this match play session for CULNC was the final day of the preseason training ahead of trials with matches starting on 12th October. The standard of play was high, and despite winning two of the eight ‘quarters’ the final score was 80-46 to London Pulse. CULNC were able to show the U17 team that high-level sport is achievable alongside a degree, even at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. This concept of promoting higher education and high-level sport complimenting each other alongside the empowerment of women, especially younger women, is the foundation of this new partnership.
The afternoon was spent at Gonville & Caius College, with a tour by two current students and CULNC players Grace Dodwell and Maia von Malaisé around the site including the spectacular library which the Pulse Players, coaches, and parents, loved! Grace and Maia managed to capture what it was like to live and study at Gonville & Caius and Cambridge, including sharing some of the history of the college, its quirks, and their experiences. The day ended with a talk by David Rennie, the Gonville & Caius Schools’ Liaison, who enthusiastically explained a bit more about Cambridge, the collegiate system and the application process and helped to break down some of the typical Cambridge stereotypes. All in all an excellent day to launch the new partnership with London Pulse and we look forward to continuing to develop this relationship over the coming year.
A huge thanks to James Barclay from the University of Cambridge Sports Service, Claire Williams (London Pulse Marketing & Sponsorship), Sam Bird (London Pulse Head Coach and CEO), Gwenyth Hamand (Gonville & Caius College London Outreach Officer), David Rennie (Gonville & Caius Schools’ Liaison), our two umpires for the morning Jean Hobday and Jennie Girling, and Kane Smith for the photography for helping to make this day happen. I’d also like to thank CULNC Captain Libby Bryant and Vice Captain Amelia Burdett for their support with organising the Partnership and the match day.
– Alexandra Telford CULNC President
