International Talent Confirmed for Inter-Gulf Netball Championships

Bahrain, February 13 2008: A team of English Netball's most talented young players has confirmed their participation in the "Invitational Cup" as part of the Riffa Views Inter-Gulf Netball Championships to be held at the Rugby Club on March 7^th & 8^th.

The players, all from Hucclecote Netball Club in Gloucestershire, feature in England Netball's U21, U19 and U17's national long squads. The team will compete in a special division of the tournament called the "Invitational Cup" in which they will play against the top 8-ranked teams from around the Gulf region.

Michaela Milne, Bahrain Netball League Event Manager, said: "This is the first time in the 22-year history of the tournament that a team from England will participate. It's a great boost for the tournament and will certainly raise the standard of games for spectators and players alike".

The Hucclecote team will play matches against Bahrain A, Dubai A, Dubai B, Qatar A, Dubai Vets, Dubai C and Oman on the first day of the competition. The Invitational Cup final will be held on Saturday, March 8^th.

Hucclecote team captain, Claire Richards mentioned: "We are thrilled to travel to Bahrain. None of us has been to the Middle East before so it will be a great opportunity to see a new country and play against the best teams in the Gulf. We can't wait to get there."

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For more information, please contact Bahrain Netball League Event Manager, Michaela Milne on 3660 0308 or email kylamilne@mac.com.