Students from Sandy and Stratton upper schools have met some top England netball stars. They were among 26 girls aged 14 from around Bedfordshire who were greeted at Biddenham Sports College on Saturday by the England netball captain Amanda Newton. Also t

Students from Sandy and Stratton upper schools have met some top England netball stars.

They were among 26 girls aged 14 from around Bedfordshire who were greeted at Biddenham Sports College on Saturday by the England netball captain Amanda Newton.

Also there were two of her current England colleagues, Naomi Siddall and Louisa Brownfield, and a former England player and PE teacher in the county, Debbie Jones.

Added to these were their Mavericks club coach Maggie Jackson who also works in sport within the county.

All the players compete for the Co-Operative Super League squad Mavericks and can be seen on Sky Sports on a weekly basis.

The students were taking part in a netball development programme organised by Kelly Cole, the school sports competition manager, and supported by the school sport partnership.

This was the first morning where the Maverick players coached and inspired the girls with three hours of skill and game work as well as giving out a few tactical secrets!

The young players will receive further coaching in Bedford and compete in a tournament in The Comet area where they can put their newly-acquired skills into practice.

At the end of the session, they were given Mavericks goodies and had the chance to get them signed by the players and also ask them questions.

The scheme is funded by Sports Bedford, the Bedfordshire Competitions Team, Bedford Borough Council's sports development unit and the Big Lottery.