Match Report - Netball

A man was walking along the beach one day. Ahead he noticed another, older man picking up a starfish that had become stranded on the sand and throwing it back into the sea.

“Why do you bother?” the man asked him. “The beach goes on for miles and countless starfish get stranded every day. You can’t really make a difference.”

The old man looked at the starfish in his hand and then he threw it to safety among the waves. “I can make a difference to this one,” he replied.

Countless children feel stranded at school. For some Calder House can make a real difference.

Thursday, 01 October 2009 09:00

Dawn broke to grey skies and forecasts of heavy rain. We wondered if the match would be called off. By mid-morning news had filtered down that Wycliffe had arranged for the netball match to take place in their prestigious senior school sports hall: the match was on!

The ‘CalderTigers’ consisted of maiden team players Ffion and Eleanor, and more seasoned players Taia, Connie, Christina, Millie, Kinvara, Grace and Rose. When we reached the venue, it was clear that Wycliffe was at least ten times bigger than Calder House, and their netball team at least ten times taller than our girls!

Undaunted, the Calder Tigers strode with enthusiasm onto the court. There then followed some terrific passing and teamwork by both sides. Wycliffe had some excellent shooters and soon knocked up a few goals. The Calder Tigers defended well and in the second half of the match, kept the ball and passed well. There was a most exciting moment when Taia was in a ‘throw up’ within the goal circle, her opponent was equally determined to win the ball and a second ‘throw up’ was needed. This time, Taia won the ball and narrowly missed scoring a goal. Ffion and Christina were both excellent centres, and Connie played superbly on the wings. All in all a match to be proud of which was followed by a delicious team tea. Wycliffe were excellent hosts!

Janet Kennedy