It was an unforgettable day for the Diamonds U12 and U10 teams, filled with grit, learning, and moments of pure pride. Competing against some of the top teams in the country, both squads showcased their determination and heart, leaving coaches and supporters beaming with pride.

U12s Battle with the Best

The Diamonds U12s faced an incredibly challenging lineup of opponents, many of whom play at an elite level week in, week out. Despite the uphill battle, the team rose to the occasion, winning a match and narrowly missing out on beating the Royals. The highlight of the day came with a hard-fought victory over the Falcons, bringing tears of joy to the eyes of their coach.

“To see you compete the way you did was amazing,” the coach Lucas shared. “Beating Falcons was the icing on the cake – I couldn’t be prouder of you all!”

The team also gained valuable lessons from the day, which will be the focus of their next training sessions starting at Cox Green Thursday.

Special Recognitions:

Coach's Player: Bella – for her tireless play, nonstop effort, and never-say-die attitude.

Player's Player: Tilly – a well-earned accolade for her outstanding performance, as voted by the team.

Close Runner-Up for Player's Player: Izzy P – for her fantastic display on court.

Special Mention: Flo B, who stepped up a year and impressed with her excellent shooting.

A huge thank-you also goes to Jen for her invaluable help on the day. “I couldn’t do this without her!” the coach said.

U10s Take Their First Steps

The morning proved challenging for the U10s, but the team’s coaches, Mrs. Lucas and Jen, couldn’t be prouder of the team. For many of the girls, this was their very first match experience, and they showed tremendous courage and effort against highly skilled Year 5 teams.

“Today was a good reminder of how far we’ve come and how much potential these girls have,” the coach Lucas remarked. “Most of our team have only played one match, and some were stepping onto the court for the first time.”

The day was a great learning experience for both players and coaching staff, offering valuable insights into the level of competition and the fundamentals to work on moving forward. Training will now focus on building confidence and mastering the basics, ensuring the girls are inspired to keep coming back, working hard, and improving.

Looking Ahead

Both teams displayed incredible heart and determination, proving that every match is an opportunity to learn and grow. With continued hard work in training and a commitment to improvement, the future looks bright for the Diamonds Academy.

Onwards and upwards, Diamonds! ?