A Hartpury College student and member of Hartpury’s Netball Academy has been selected into the Roses U17 Academy for this season and named as a reserve for Netball Europe.

Holly Thompson, a first-year A-level student at Hartpury, will be one of four reserves for the England U17 squad as they look to defend their title at the Europe Netball U17 Championship in Newcastle this weekend (February 25-February 27).

England are defending champions,having completed a clean sweep en route to the trophy in 2020.

Holly is part of Hartpury’s hugely successful Sports Academy programme that allows students to combine their studies with training and competing in their chosen sport.

Roses Academy head coach Sheonah Forbes said: “Congratulations to all of the athletes selected to represent England as part of the U17 squad at the upcoming Europe Netball U17 Championship.

“It’s so exciting to be able to name such a strong squad and indicates the talent we have coming through the Roses Academy.”

Holly Duerden, Netball Academy Manager at Hartpury, said: “We’re extremely proud of Holly, who thoroughly deserves her place in the Roses U17 Academy.

“Netball Europe provides a fantastic opportunity for players to gain experience through playing other nations on the international stage and understanding what it’s like to represent their country.

“Holly is a key member of our Netball Academy, and we can’t wait to see her develop as an athlete and performing in future competitions.”

Students on the Hartpury Netball Academy pathway benefit from access to qualified, experienced coaching staff who are involved at both national and international level as well as currently playing in the UK Netball Super League.

With teams competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues and the AoC National Leagues, there’s something for all levels of netball player – including those who want to simply play for fun and fitness while they study.

More than 100 athletes are currently enrolled within the Hartpury Netball programme, which is open to further and higher education student athletes, male or female.