International day to remember for 24 High Peak youngsters

A total of 24 youngsters from the club were invited by Team Up England, which is promoting opportunities for girls to become more involved in netball, hockey and cricket.

The event took place at The Copperbox Arena in London, in front of 5,000 fans as well as thousands of viewers watching live on Sky Sports.

The game between the English Roses and the Australian Diamonds was one of the most anticipated matches to be played in the 2018 Netball Quad Series.

The club won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after being entered into a competition by High Peak Schools Sports Partnership.

A total of 53 people involved in the club attended, but only 24 children were selected to perform the mascot duties.

They walked out on court to rapturous applause from friends, family and High Peak members.

The youngsters proudly held the hands of England GK Geva Mentor, GA Helen Housby, GS Kadine Corbin and C Serena Guthrie among others.

The Australian team included captain and GS Caitlin Bassett, C Kim Ravallion and GK Jo Weston.

The High Peak youngsters, aged fromfive to 12, were from schools across the High Peak, including Buxton, Furness Vale and Chinley.

They also met England manager Tracey Neville, the sister of footballers Gary and Phil Neville.

The mascots were chaperoned by head coach Halina Dawson, assistant coaches Beccy Elliott and Jacqui Redfern, and High Peak Schools Sports Partnership’s Katy Amps.

Halina Dawson added: “This was undoubtedly the proudest moment of my coaching career so far.

“It will take a lot to top this amazing day.

“Thank you to all of the parents, headteachers, coaches and HPNC supporters for helping make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happen for the children.

“It was a proud day for us all.”