Express Sport

NETBALL: Gabrielle flies the flag for England!

By Steve Sowden

9:58am Friday 19th March 2010

GIFTED Yeovil College student Gabrielle Nardiello is the only South West Colleges’ team player selected for this year’s England Colleges’ Netball squad.

Gabrielle was selected from 48 hopefuls for one of just 19 England places available.

Gabrielle was recognised for her sporting and academic talent while at Buckler’s Mead Community School, where she was selected for the gifted and talented programme.

She is also a member of the Yeovil Junior Netball Club and both organisations helped her to develop her natural skills early on.

Gabrielle is currently in her first year of a BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science at the college. Here, she is also part of the Netball Academy, which has developed her ability through regular strength and conditioning sessions.

After being selected for the South West Colleges’ regional netball team, Gabrielle was asked to attend England Colleges’ trials in Birmingham. Despite stiff competition from a wealth of established talent, including capped England players, Gabrielle was picked for the England Colleges’ squad.

She was one of just 19 players selected from 48 hopefuls and the only South West representative chosen.

Gabrielle, 16, of Yeovil, said: “At first, when I was faced with all the other players, I started to doubt myself, but I thought about what I’d learned in sport psychology to control anxiety and just gave it my best.

“Once I got into it, I didn’t miss a shot! After being chosen for England Colleges’, I went to a training weekend in Lincoln.

“I enjoyed experiencing the higher standard of netball and learning about the different styles of netball play from around the country.

“It also reinforced that I have been supported extremely well by everyone throughout my journey so far.

“I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me, particularly my parents, the College and everyone at Yeovil Netball Club and Somerset County Netball Club.”

College netball coach Louise Bugler said “Gabrielle is a very talented netballer and we are delighted to have her at Yeovil College.

“We decided to put her forward for the trials due to her inspirational attitude, commitment and consistency as a player.

“ She combines competitiveness with a great ability to work with others and we have high hopes for her for the future.”

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