Latest news with #TeamBath
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Friendships driving Pulse success for Sophie Kelly
The goal attack believes it is a success built on friendships on and off the court which have instilled a trust and fearlessness that has allowed the squad to conquer all their foes. Pulse sit top of the Netball Super League and know a win on the final day will secure that place, and with it the top seed into the play-off semi-finals. 'The team is full of people who work so hard and we all have the same ambitions,' explained Kelly. 'We are quite a young team but that works to our advantage. We're fearless, so we're not scared to go and try new things. 'It's been really enjoyable. When we go out there, we all make sure we're enjoying our time playing as well as fighting to win and I think that really helps us push on. 'There are so many people in the team I look up to. Zara [Everitt], Liv [Olivia Tchine], everyone has got something which I can look up to so that's really great. 'I've spent a lot of time with Darcie [Everitt] because we share a hotel together and she's now one of my closest friends but I get on really well with everyone. 'We've had lots of social times and I have a great relationship with Liss [Alicia Scholes], which is really lovely because we play goal attack/wing attack together so that helps. 'The vibe of the team does help a lot. We all get each other's jokes, we all feel the same way about certain things so yeah, it's really nice.' The 21-year-old is tasting success in her first season in the capital, having made the switch from Team Bath last year, but is still commuting from the south west. She is currently in the third year of a management degree at the University of Bath but travels to London twice a week, where she stays with Darcie Everitt, who commutes from Loughborough, to train on top of games at the weekend. It is a commitment that has certainly paid dividends. London Pulse have lost just twice this season, securing victory over every team in the league at least once. Such results leave them well-placed to secure a home tie against Loughborough Lightning in the major semi-final, with a direct route to the Grand Final on the line, in what will be Kelly's first appearance in the play-offs. 'It would mean absolutely everything. From the start of the season we have set out to win the league and we fully believe we can so this is just another step on the journey,' she said. 'For me personally, playing at this high level in such competitive games is something I haven't really experienced in the NSL yet, so it's given me so much experience. '[I need to] just focus on what we're doing, our processes, and not put too much pressure on myself knowing that it's a semi-final. 'But at the same time we do have to acknowledge that it is a very important game so it's about calming the nerves and connecting with everyone. When we all come in together, help each other and settle down, that's when we play at our best." That emphasis on team bonds remains strong for Kelly, though her own individual displays have also impressed for Pulse this season as she has drawn on her prowess in sinking shots from range. She boasts a goal tally of 61 so far this season, earning her first full 60-minute for Pulse display during their crucial round 13 win over Manchester Thunder. 'I've always been known for those long shots, so when they introduced the Soft & Gentle Super Shot I was like, 'Oh this is brilliant because I can just shoot like normal and get two points for it,'' said Kelly. 'In our team, all three shooters are strong from long-range which is amazing because even if one person's not having a great day, the other two will come on and put up those long shots. 'Beating Thunder by 10 points goes to show what we can do as a team. We had a bit of a blip in the second quarter but we said it was really important to show that when it does get tight we can still grind out the win. 'When it does get close, we don't just give up, we keep on pushing on. So that was really, really important to focus on.' Kelly's form has been rewarded with a call-up to the England training squad for the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) and the Future Roses programme, with the final NWYC squad to be selected and announced in due course. It is another step on an ever-soaring trajectory for the youngster but once again it will be her teammates that remain fundamental to her development. 'It's always great to be selected by England. It shows that your hard work is paying off so it's really, really nice. I love going up and spending time with all the girls from England,' said Kelly. 'Lots of the England connections have been developing for a while because we've been in an academy together for years. 'We always have such a great time and the training is obviously so amazing. It gets you so fit over summer, so that's really good, and I've always wanted to play in the Under-21 World Youth Cup. 'I was born in 2004 so that makes me the oldest age eligible and when I realised I was like, 'Oh my god that is what I have wanted to do since I was about 15.'' To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter. The NSL Grand Final will be held at The O2 on 6 July for the first time ever. Get your tickets to experience live elite netball!
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Somerset in Pictures: Sunshine and sporting success
Not everyone likes hot days, but for our coastal resorts and visitor attractions this sunny week has been a great time to welcome visitors. They have been getting their buckets and spades out from Weston down to Minehead. Team Bath's netball players have been celebrating, festival workers are getting ready for the summer and there has been plenty of cricket action down in Taunton. Ancient traditions: Early on Thursday, the first day of May, people gathered at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury to observe Beltane celebrations, harking back to ancient Celtic pagan fertility rites. Gorgeous: Despite it being hot work, they have been setting up the teepees on the edge of Chew Valley Lake for the Fire in Your Soul Festival which will run from 4 - 6 July. The new event will feature firepits, workshops, holistic therapies, dance and poetry. Thriller: Team Bath Netball edged a close contest against London Mavericks at the weekend, coming from behind to make it 53-53 with 20 seconds remaining before Charlotte Watts secured the win (below). Cooling off: As temperatures rose this week, spots like the River Avon became popular with those able to paddle in the sunshine. High hopes: Somerset's women took on Lancashire in Taunton this week in the Metro Bank One Day Cup competition, the visitors winning the contest by seven wickets. Beautiful: What a shot. What better way to see the Somerset countryside than from a hot air balloon on a sunny evening? Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Somerset in Pictures: Swan whisperer and the races Somerset in Pictures: Bobcats and foggy mornings Somerset in Pictures: Artistic rats and beach days Somerset in Pictures: Anyone for cricket? Somerset in Pictures: Races and a royal visit Somerset in Pictures: Derby delight for Bath Somerset in Pictures: Sunrises and a lunar eclipse Somerset in pictures: Darts delight and Mr Darcy Somerset in Pictures: Blue skies, cows and Crufts Somerset in pictures: Otters, owls and EastEnders pub Somerset in Pictures: The sweet taste of victory Somerset in Pictures: Wildlife and winter swimming Somerset in Pictures: Fog and Harry Redknapp Somerset in Pictures: Snow, flood and races Somerset in pics: Fog, fundraisers and fairytales Somerset in Pictures: Tractors, rainbows and a circus Somerset in Pictures: Panto and a 100th birthday Somerset in pictures: Santa and Christmas lights Somerset in Pictures: Santa, sunsets and Pinocchio Somerset in Pictures: Snow, carnival and racing Somerset in pictures: Santas on ice and bus DJs Somerset in pictures: Hedgehogs and carnival Somerset in pictures: Tor aurora and Willow Man Somerset in Pictures: Pumpkins and stolen cheese Somerset in pictures: World records and ponies Somerset in Pictures: Mullet wigs and a giant moon Somerset in pictures: Autumn arrives in the county Somerset in pictures: Caravan racing, motorbikes and street art Somerset in pictures: Swans, scarecrows and cricket Somerset in pictures: Summer, scarecrows and film sets Somerset in pictures: A retiring lollipop lady and bus strikes Somerset in pictures: Images from across the county
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Somerset in Pictures: The sweet taste of victory
Valentine's Day is all about romance, and there has been plenty to love in Somerset this week. Team Bath got their netball season up and running with a win, and the public were generous with their donations so a four-legged visitor could have a permanent home here. Down in Hardington Mandeville they locals have a lot to be thankful to one family for, as they have been keeping the village shop going since the late 1800s. Winning smiles: Team Bath Netball kicked off the 2025 NXT Gen League season with a victory against Nottingham Forest in front of a sold-out home crowd. It's showtime: Toby Thompson took to the stage at The Egg Theatre in Bath to perform The Little Prince, an adaptation of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novella of the same name. Pretty stunning: Is there a rugby stadium in the country with a better backdrop than the Recreation Ground in Bath? We highly doubt it. The lamp of love: A time-honoured tradition took place in Frome on Friday night, with the annual lighting of a lamp dedicated to Valentine's Day. Reg Ling, now 93, began the event in 1993 but has handed it over this year saying he is "too old" to continue. A new home: This rescued North American Bobcat called Bode can now relax after more than £3,500 was raised by Tropiquaria Zoo, near Watchet, after the animal's former owner was convicted of animal welfare offences. The fundraiser means he can stay in Somerset permanently. Inspiring: Paralympic footballer Jack Rutter visited St Lawrence's Primary School in Westbury to lead exercises and pass on some crucial advice about overcoming adversity. A family concern: Daphne Creed MBE is the third generation of her family to run the village shop in Hardington Mandeville, near Yeovil. She took it on from her mother in 1991, who had managed it from 1936, who in turn had taken over from Ms Creed's grandmother, who had run it since the 1890s. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Somerset in Pictures: Racing, alpacas and music Somerset in Pictures: Blue skies and ghost stories Somerset in Pictures: Wildlife and winter swimming Somerset in Pictures: Fog and Harry Redknapp Somerset in Pictures: Snow, flood and races Somerset in pics: Fog, fundraisers and fairytales Somerset in Pictures: Tractors, rainbows and a circus Somerset in Pictures: Panto and a 100th birthday Somerset in pictures: Santa and Christmas lights Somerset in Pictures: Santa, sunsets and Pinocchio Somerset in Pictures: Snow, carnival and racing Somerset in pictures: Santas on ice and bus DJs Somerset in pictures: Hedgehogs and carnival Somerset in pictures: Tor aurora and Willow Man Somerset in Pictures: Pumpkins and stolen cheese Somerset in pictures: World records and ponies Somerset in Pictures: Mullet wigs and a giant moon Somerset in pictures: Autumn arrives in the county Somerset in pictures: Caravan racing, motorbikes and street art Somerset in pictures: Swans, scarecrows and cricket Somerset in pictures: A retiring lollipop lady and bus strikes Somerset in pictures: Images from across the county
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Team Bath prepare for Nxt Gen League opener
Team Bath will kick-start this season's NXT Gen League against Nottingham Forest on Friday after accepting an invitation to participate in the league. The sell-out fixture at the University of Bath will be the club's first official match since they were omitted from the revamped Netball Super League (NSL) in Bath were one of four sides- alongside Strathclyde Sirens, Surrey Storm and Severn Stars- to miss out on being included in the NSL as 10 teams were reduced to just eight as part of plans to turn the league Forest, who are owned by the Premier League football team, and Birmingham Panthers were added in their NXT Gen League, which is referred to as an 'U23 feeder League' by the NSL, will feature all eight professional sides and Team Bath, who were extended an invitation to will see all nine sides play each other home and away and will run until the weekend of 14-15 June, with fixtures aligned to NSL matches where eligibility for the NXT Gen League is for athletes under 23, regulations state squads can include up to four players over the age of 23 to "support and enhance" the quality of the NXT Gen League will exist as a standalone competition but will be closely connected with the NSL. Nxt Gen League 2025 opening fixtures: Match week 1:Team Bath v Nottingham Forest - 7 February, 19:00Manchester Thunder v Cardiff Dragons - 8 February, 12:00London Pulse v Loughborough Lightning - 8 February, 14:00 Birmingham Panthers v Leeds Rhinos - 8 February, 17:15London Mavericks will begin their campaign on Match week 2 away to Manchester Thunder - 15 February, 12:30.
