Every player has somewhere to go next
Netball is a fast-paced, strategic sport that promotes agility, coordination and teamwork. On court, players build physical endurance and learn to think quickly and execute precisely under pressure.
A player who has held their position under pressure, or steadied a nervous teammate before a centre pass, comes off court a little more sure of themselves. Every pupil is welcome in the Kingsley Family's netball programme, whatever their starting point.
An experienced team of coaches and umpires
Our netball coaches hold qualifications in both coaching and umpiring, and each has long experience of the local game as a player, coach or official.
Gemma Braunton
Holds the 1st4sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Netball and has 20 years of experience coaching and playing in the North Devon Netball League.
Lorraine Beal
England Netball Level Two Coach, National 'A' Award Umpire and England Netball Umpire Assessor, Tutor and Mentor. Lorraine is also Development Officer for Titans Netball Club.
A level for every player
The netball year builds from skill development and area tournaments in the autumn to the main season of school fixtures in the spring, with the chance to play league netball in the summer.
U14 and U15 local area tournaments in the autumn term
fixtures against other schools, and tournaments for U12, U13 and Seniors, in the spring term
the local league with Venners Netball Club for players in Year 9 upwards, in the summer term
The highlight players look forward to all year
Each March brings the annual PGL netball tour. Away from the usual court, squads train together, play new opposition and share the kind of days that turn a team into a group of friends.
The tour comes in the middle of the main spring season, and the teamwork built there carries through to the rest of the year's fixtures.
Training, fixtures and the tour
Growing as people alongside their game
Beyond the physical side of the game, netball builds strategic thinking and teamwork, and it helps players develop leadership, perseverance and sportsmanship that stay valuable long after they leave school.
A player can enjoy netball for the love of it or aim for senior fixtures and league netball, and find a place either way. Generous sports scholarships are available to talented players, and applications for sixth-form entry close on 31 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners join the Netball Academy?
Yes. The Netball Academy welcomes players who are new to the game as well as experienced ones. The autumn term concentrates on skill development, which gives newer players a strong start before the main season of fixtures in the spring.
Which leagues and tournaments do players take part in?
In the autumn term players compete in U14 and U15 local area tournaments. The spring term is the main netball season, with fixtures against other schools and tournaments for U12, U13 and Seniors, and the annual PGL netball tour takes place in March. In the summer term, players in Year 9 upwards can enter the local league with Venners Netball Club.
Who coaches netball at Kingsley?
Netball is coached by Gemma Braunton, Head of Netball and Gymnastics, who has 20 years of experience coaching and playing in the North Devon Netball League. She is joined by Lorraine Beal, an England Netball Level Two Coach, National 'A' Award Umpire and England Netball Umpire Assessor, and by Lucy Loosemore, a Level 2 Netball Coach and C grade Umpire.
Are there netball scholarships?
Yes. Kingsley offers generous netball scholarships, including for students joining the Sixth Form. A sports scholarship gives access to the ACE Programme, with extra support in strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology. Early scholarship applications for September 2027 entry close on 31 October 2026, and our Admissions team can explain how to apply and arrange a trial.
Northdown Road, Bideford