Guernsey netball team plays Army ahead of clash

Guernsey's netball team played three matches against the Army team

Guernsey's senior women's netball team has played matches against the British Army to prepare for the inter-insular match against Jersey.

The senior squad played three practice matches over the weekend against a team from the Army Netball Association, at the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, Aldershot Garrison.

Jersey's senior team has beaten Guernsey 65-29 and 74-27 in the previous two annual inter-island matches.

Guernsey netball player Charlotte Hill said being tested against the Army players could help them close the gap in points at the inter-insular in March.

Guernsey Netball Association is hoping to make Army fixture an annual event

The Guernsey team lost their games against the Army, but Miss Hill said there were still positives.

"I think having that really tough competition was great for all the girls," she said.

"To just have some physical games and having to change our game plan depending on what the other team is doing, will help us going into the inter-insular."

She added: "Hopefully it will help us in making that score line smaller."

'Understand rivalry'

Director of Guernsey Netball Sally Carns organised several matches away from the Channel Islands to help prepare the players during 2024.

"For so many years now Guernsey's only competition for the seniors has been one game against Jersey," she said.

"We understand the rivalry and for the players it is still the biggie.

"We don't think that's a very good benchmark for us to see where we are at throughout the year."