RETURNING this weekend, the exciting young Team Jets 2 squad will look to go one better than the first team and start the new year with two wins against Bath Cougars tomorrow and Team Bath B on Sunday.
The Team Jets programme introduced the second team to the Regional League 3 division at the start of this season, looking to provide a pathway for young players to break through, and fringe players a chance to play competitive netball and impress.
Little did those in charge expect that the team would be just two points off the summit after ten games, firmly breathing down leaders Crossbow’s necks, after seven wins, one draw and just two defeats so far.
Despite difficult setbacks with sponsorship and facility issues in recent times, Jersey Netball has continued to soar in popularity and participation.
The local league is thriving, and the quality of junior players coming through continues to impress, with several players breaking into the Team Bath junior set up.
The introduction of Team Jets 2 has allowed younger players to join forces with older players on the brink of a first team call up, to continue to push themselves against high level opposition.
Coach Emily Green, who herself is in the squad as a player this week, commented: “This is the first game of the year for the RL3 [Regional League 3] side and we have some new faces amongst the squad.
“It’s a mark of how successful the programme has been so far. At the start of the season we had our RL1 and RL3 squads, but with so many of the RL3 players improving and earning their chance to progress up to the first team, we have had to fill those gaps and bring girls up.
“It’s a testament to how strong the depth in Jersey Netball is that we are able to bring people in to efficiently.”
Those in charge have stressed the importance of both teams training in the same way, with similar playing styles and expectations.
This is designed so that when those players are required to make the jump up to the first team, they are fully prepared of what to expect and what their roles will entail.
This season saw the team start incredibly with four consecutive wins, before a draw to Trident and a first defeat of the campaign to Hucclecote Hurricanes back in October last year.
Since then however, they rattled off another three consecutive victories, before suffering a difficult 41-51 defeat to Challengers Flyers back on 24 November in what was their last game of 2024.
“Throughout the Jets programme, we train the same way, all through the court,” continued Green.
“Anyone coming in to this set up will learn the style we want to play, meaning although we might not have seen this weekend’s squad play together that much, we are confident they all know what their roles are and what is expected of them as Team Jets players.
“It’s incredible that we get to offer these sorts of opportunities and we have been absolutely delighted with the results we have seen so far.
“The more girls we can give exposure of good level netball too, the better standard the entire club will be moving forward.”
Eight weeks have passed since that Hucclecote defeat and the team have had the benefit of the long break and plenty of training time both on and off the court.
This weekend’s squad features a blend of youth and experience, with youngsters such as Lara Spary, Summer Watkins and Isabella Lofthouse sharing the court with experienced first team players Antonia Chaytor and captain Mollie Luce.
Looking at this weekend’s squad in particular, Green added: “We have several girls playing this weekend who are currently at college or university, such as Pia [Gurner], Isabella [Lofthouse] and Hope [Jordan].
“I’m particularly excited to see Katie Doyle back. She’s been studying for her exams at uni and it’s great to have her around the group and to get to offer her the chance to play this weekend.
“It’s also another brilliant chance for young Lara Spary to impress. She’s been absolutely outstanding this season and is such an impressive young woman.
“She’s fit, strong, versatile and an excellent shooter. She has had the chance to step up and train with the first team recently and I don’t think it will be long before she joins those ranks.
“We also have Toni Chaytor back, who usually plays RL1 but has had a really challenging season with injury.
“She’s getting close to being back to her full fitness and she can’t wait to be back out there this weekend.
“We’ll go into it with full confidence and continue to ingrain the Team Jets ethos, if we do this effectively then the results will take care of themselves.”
Team Jets 2 are scheduled to take on Bath Cougars tomorrow, 3pm at Highworth Warneford, before travelling to Bath University STV on Sunday for a 10:30 start against Team Bath B.
Team Jets 2 squad: Mollie Luce (c), Emily Green, Pia Gurner, Lara Spary, Hope Jordan, Antonia Chaytor, Isabella Lofthouse, Katie Doyle, Summer Watkins, Imogen Taylor
