After two weeks of pre-season training and four trial sessions, CULNC has selected its squad of 48 for the 25/26 season! All teams have now also played their first BUCS match, and are excited about BUCS Wednesdays to come!
Our newly selected team captains have given their thoughts on the upcoming season:
Izzy Howse and Natalie McEvoy – Blues Co-Captains
For Izzy, a highly experienced and dedicated 4th-year Natural Sciences student, this will be her third year captaining the Blues. She brings a wealth of knowledge, composure, and leadership to the court. Alongside her is Nat, a fresh(ish)-faced 2nd-year Engineer, eager to soak up all she can from Izzy’s expertise, but she certainly brings her own energy, outrageous athleticism and raw talent to the team. Together, their yin and yang — their balance of experience and enthusiasm — will lead them into what promises to be a very exciting season ahead.
“The Blues team this year is particularly promising for a multitude of reasons. First off, we have an extremely versatile squad, giving us a seemingly endless number of combinations to use against our opponents. Secondly, we’re proud to have a fantastic mix of experience — from the amazingly energetic newcomers to our wise and seasoned fourth years, we truly have it all.
This season will undoubtedly be a competitive one. Every match will push us to new heights, and we’re confident that we’ll continue to grow both individually and as a team. The energy at training is already electric, and the commitment from every player — on and off the court — sets the tone for what’s to come.
We can’t wait to represent Cambridge and show the hard work, passion, and teamwork that define the Blues. Here’s to a season full of learning, laughter, and (hopefully!) plenty of wins.”
Mia Barnes and Issy Whitfield – Jays Captain and Vice Captain
Mia Barnes is an excellent netball player with unbeatable flair. Her experience on the court, as well as her sharp shooting, will be priceless on the court this season. Mia is an amazing member of CULNC, having served on the committee in previous seasons, and is dedicated to the club. Mia is flanked by Vice Captain Issy Whitfield, who is none other than one of CULNC’s Co-Presidents and previous Social Sec – what can’t she do!?
“We are both medical students, one slightlyyyy older than the other (since when was 22 mid-twenties?!). We have played together on the Jays for several seasons so cannot wait to captain the team this year!”
The 2025/26 Jays team has an excellent mix of experience and new talent. Most importantly, we have Joyful Attitudes – and with these, we will Yield Success.
This season is going to be mega. UTJ.”
Libby Sutcliffe and Liv Fitzpatrick – Swallows Co-Captains
Libby and Liv bring a wealth of experience to the court, with plenty of CULNC years under their belt. Their synergy is so strong, they both study the same degree – veterinary science! Both are fabulous presences in mid-court, and both have boundless energy.
“Hi, we’re Libby and Liv, the co-captains for the Swallows (3rd team) this year! Our team is a mix of returning players and new faces, and we’re excited to get to work on forming connections on-court and off-court. The Swallows have moved into Midlands Tier 2a this season – a tough division, but we’re looking forward to some challenging matches. The team is such a lovely and hard-working group, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve this year!”
Sophie Tallon – Wrens Captain
Sophie is a centre court player who brings energy and catchphrases to the court. She has loved being a Wren and is incredibly excited to lead this team in her final year at Cambridge and CULNC.
“Hi, I’m Sophie! I’m super excited to be leading the Wrens this year. Last season, our hard work was rewarded with a promotion, bringing new challenges and teams to play this year. This year, the Wrens are working towards another promotion and have our eye on the Midlands Conference Trophy. I am excited for the new challenge, especially with this team. We have a very fresh team, with ten new CULNC members on our squad, bringing lots of energy and enthusiasm to the court. This brings exciting opportunities for new combinations on the court, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Wrens’ chemistry grow on and off the court. I can’t wait to get to know this squad and take on the season ahead!”
