ISLAND sports teams have produced some magnificent performances across various leagues, and one side leading the charge is the outstanding Team Jets.
The first team return to action this weekend with an away double header against powerhouses Hucclecote Comets on Saturday and Bristol Romans B on Sunday.
Coach Emily Green spoke proudly of her squad, praising the strength in depth of the entire Jets programme, as availability issues creep in and call-ups are required.
Jets currently sit top of Netball South West’s Regional League 1 with eight wins from eight, using a young squad throughout most of their games so far.
“Our strength in depth throughout the whole programme is outstanding,” said coach Green.
“We play a very similar way throughout all our teams and we expect the same things in training from our girls.
“The advantage of that is that when we have unavailabilities and we need players to step in, those girls already know what is expected, how we play and can feel comfortable in the environment we have created.”
There are a couple of notable absentees this weekend, with Super League star Lily Jones available only for the Romans game on Sunday, and young ace Grace Thomson unavailable for the whole weekend, as both players have commitments for Team Bath.
However, the squad welcomes back influential centre, Toni Chaytor, who returns from a lengthy injury absence.
Green, still a player herself, has also made herself available to play this weekend in a player/coach capacity, due to the low numbers across the forwards.
The coach continued: “It’s great to have players like Toni back, she works so hard on her fitness and having her back fully fit is a massive bonus for us.
“Despite having some players away, the versatility in this group is so strong. We have players who can adjust and play different positions.
“We know that Rosie [Tonner] has played at both goal attack and goal shooter in the past, and extremely successfully as well.
“Young Emily Le Gros will also fill those crucial roles as well, she has been incredibly impressive since she joined us.
“Her attitude on and off the court, as well as her versatility and work ethic make her an incredibly valuable member of the squad.
“She has shown that she is prepared to roll her sleeves up and get stuck into any situation and she has grabbed her opportunity with both hands.”
Although Jets sit top of the pile, Green is aware this weekend will be no easy task against two strong sides.
“We haven’t played Hucclecote yet,” Green added, “but we’re aware of what a threat they will pose.
“They’re a massive club with excellent training regiments and links to some top players and coaches.
“That will be a big test for us first game back and the girls are really up for it.”
The Islanders will take plenty of confidence into the Bristol Romans B game having played them in their first game of the season in September, securing a solid 50-38 victory.
“Bristol Romans B will be a similar test, although we can take confidence from having beaten them already this season.
“But that is never a guarantee in this league. Players come in and out of teams, especially these bigger clubs with loads of teams, so we might face a very different line-up on Sunday.
“But the fact we have such strength in depth means we can fill spaces as well.
“We have an incredibly strong structure and it’s amazing as a coach to get to offer some of these younger or fringe players their chance to step up in the first team.
“We still have a long way to go this season and there is a lot of netball still to be played, but we’re all so excited to get back into it.
“This weekend will be a great way to hopefully continue doing the things that have made us so successful to date and keep pushing for promotion.”
Team Jets: Rosie Tonner (c), Emily Green, Lily Jones (Sunday only), Emily Le Gros, Maddie Fitzgerald-Wilkins, Toni Chaytor, Nicole Goddard, Molly Carre, Sam Salzone, Becca Forrest
