Association of Colleges National Netball Squad
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College student Grace Wood has been named the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Netball Squad Coaches’ Player of the Year. Wood, who represented the country’s colleges in the Netball Squad, received the award after an impactful first season.
Wood represented the National Netball Squad on several away weekends throughout the season, which was shortened due to the impact of Covid-19, facing opponents throughout the home nations. The first year college student quickly showed her dominance in matches and was awarded the Coaches’ Player of the Season Award for her efforts.
The former Wildern School pupil, who plays club netball for Swan Netball Club in Eastleigh and for Team Bath, was nominated for a trial by Barton Peveril Netball Coach Sonja Payne. After submitting a video portfolio, Wood attended a trial in Nottingham where she was one of just 20 individuals selected to represent her country amidst a pool of over 250 students at the final trial.
“Thoroughly deserves this award.”
Speaking on her student’s success, Barton Peveril Teacher of Sport, Netball Coach, and Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Coordinator Alix Christopher said:
“Grace has played some outstanding netball this year and thoroughly deserves this award. She is a committed player and is showing a tremendous amount of potential to play at these higher levels. We are all very proud of her achievements and look forward to working with her in college netball for her second year of college.”
When initially selected for the squad, Grace Wood said:
“I feel extremely proud and excited to be selected for the AoC Squad and I cannot wait for the upcoming weekends with the other players, to develop friendships and improve my Netball.”
