Linda Andrews: Team Jets proves Jersey academy system works

Team Jets have not lost a game since 8 November

The coach of Jersey's Team Jets netball club says her side's success shows the island's academy system works.

Linda Andrews' team are second in Premier League Three and are on course for at least a place in the play-offs to be promoted to Premier League Two.

"They were my first girls in my academy group that I set up and their basic skills were so sound," she said.

"Once you've got that into a player you can go on and grow and that's what's happened with this group."

Team Jets are second in the third tier of English league netball, four points off leaders Kent County, whose only defeat this season came at the hands of the Channel Island team.

Linda Andrews (second from right) has been involved in netball in Jersey for over 30 years

"We're a committed bunch - we were lucky this year that we had extra sponsorship money so we were able to put them onto more of a proper strength and conditioning programme," Andrews told BBC Radio Jersey.

"Strength and conditioning is massive in sport and that's had a huge effect on them.

"We're just learning new tactics and learning new ways to develop, they've all come on board with it and we're just seeing the fruits of our labour really."

Jersey have only lost three times since being promoted from the regional leagues in May and Andrews is confident her side could handle another promotion.

"If this group of girls stay together we're hoping to get to the play-offs in May and see what happens," she said.

"But the way they've gone this year I think Premier Two would be a really good challenge for them."