Cumberland's blog

Squad 2 trials to take place as planned on Saturday 14th August, 10am-2pm. Please then attend pre-season training every subsequent Wednesday.

Squad 1 trials moved to Wednesday 11th August and Wednesday 18th August, 7.30-9.30pm. All trials and pre-season training held at Camden Sports Pitch.

With two brilliant final performances at the Middlesex and Poly tournaments, the Cumberland B team was full of confidence as Middlesex county champions, ahead of the London & South East regional playoffs against the county winners from Kent, Surrey and Essex. Facing some very tough opposition, Cumberland lost the first game to the eventual tournament winners but impressive play and plenty of support on and off the court, meant that we quickly turned it around. A nail biting final match saw a draw and Cumberland in second position and through to Regional Division 2.

As the A team progress from regional into national netball, now it's the chance of the Bs to shine. Congratulations to the team and especially captains Sam Howlett-Bolton and Hannah Goodey for winning the Middlesex County League this season. This now puts the Bs into the Regional League play-offs: come and support us on 29th May!

On 23rd May Cumberland's first team ended a triumphant season by winning through at the national play-offs tournament, to secure a place in National Premier League 3. This confirms Cumberland's status as a super-club, now only two divisions below the top British teams - watch out Team Bath, we're coming!

Come and support our first team at their first ever appearance at play-offs to qualify for National Prem (that's right, the netball that you see on TV!).

Date: 22nd and 23rd May 2010
Venue: Sir David Wallace Centre, Loughborough University
Times: Saturday 10am - 8pm. Sunday 9am - 2.30pm (or to 5pm if involved in the 5th Place Playoffs)

How it works: two teams from each region making 18 teams in total will contest play-offs against the teams which finished in eighth, ninth and tenth positions in Premier Netball 2.

Get all of these dates into your diary now!

North London Rally: Saturday 8th May - for B, C, D, E & F teams

Poly Rally: Saturday 8th May - for A & B teams

UCS Old Boys Rugby Club Social: Friday 14th May

Middlesex Rally: Sunday 16th May - for B, C, D & E teams

Last training Wednesday 12th May (there may be further training for the As & Bs due to Challenge Cup commitments)

Bournemouth 7s: 28th-30th May

Cumberland AGM: Monday 14th June

Cumberland Black Tie and 10 year Anniversary Celebration (note change of date): Friday 23rd July

Cumberland umpire Rose McCarter in November 2009 umpired Mavericks v. Team Bath: two super league teams, possibly the best two teams in the country apart from the national teams. This is very encouraging for the many Cumberland officials, both umpires and coaches. Well done to Rose who is making her way up the umpiring ranks with amazing speed and enthusiasm.

Don't forget the joint social this Thursday 19th November with the University College School Old Boys Rugby Football Club. Mail your captain if you need more details and let Rose McCarter know that you're coming!

After the weekend of 14th / 15th November, Cumberland teams are riding high! Our A team is currently second in L&SE Regional 1; the Bs are top in North London Premier; and also in North London Premier, Cumberland C team took on Poly A and won. Poly are one of the strongest teams in the North London Netball League and beating them for the first time ever is a huge achievement for the Cs. The girls came back from a 1 goal deficit at three-quarter time to win 35-32. Well done to captain Jane Whitefield, and player of the match Helen Fish.

The Challenge Cup is getting towards the business end of the competition, and it's getting exciting. Similar to football's FA Cup, the know-out cup sees teams large and small from around the country bid to take the national title.