WEST Linton goal shooter Kirsten Rodwell is a member of the Sapphires, who last Saturday were the winners of the Netball Scotland Under 17 Youth Cup.

Starting the match as underdogs to reigning champions Avon (who have three Scotland U17 caps in their experienced team), Edinburgh-based Sapphires had to fight from the first whistle. It was a very close match which was made all the more difficult when Avon brought on their 6ft 3in shooter. However, Sapphires managed to hold on to an early lead and win 52-47, helped by Kirsten’s excellent shooting.

This is the Peebles High School pupil’s sixth national title in six different Junior competitions, an achievement which is thought to be unprecedented. Kirsten was a member of the Peebles High School team which won the Netball Scotland Schools Cups in S1, S2 and S3, and was also a member of the Peebles Netball Club teams which won the Under 13 and Under 15 Netball Scotland Youth Cups. All of these teams were coached by Linda Nicholson. Kirsten has since moved to Edinburgh Junior Netball Club where the Sapphires are coached by ex Scotland U21 player Hannah McCaig, with occasional shooting guidance from ex Scotland Senior player Gemma Sole. Following her success as Sapphire’s coach, Hannah went straight on court as Goal Attack helping Gemma & the rest of the Onyx team from Edinburgh Netball Club to win the Scottish Cup, beating Edinburgh University 61-36.

Following a number of years of dominance by West of Scotland teams, the East managed a clean sweep in the Youth & Scottish Cups with Peebles Rockets winning the Under 13s and the West Edinburgh Eagles taking the Under 15 title.