A NETBALL coach is “very proud” her team has made it to the finals of a national championship after starting the club just seven years ago.

The AP Saints Netball Under-14 club has qualified for the England national club finals after winning the London rounds.

The team, which is made up of girls from schools in Haringey, will compete against 17 other teams from every region across England on May 28 and 29.

Coach Alison Akinrinlola, who is an also ex-England Under-16 and Under-21 netball player, is full of praise for her team.

She said: “I’m very proud of the girls, as they have done really well to get so far and get into the nationals. It is brilliant and I believe they are one of the top clubs in Middlesex.

“It is nice to see how the girls have grown and improved over the years, as it all began for them when they were in Year 5. They have turned into lovely, confident young women.”

The club started out seven years ago with only six girls from St James School, in Muswell Hill, but now there are 200 girls playing from 44 different schools.

Some of the schools from Haringey include Fortismere School, Channing School, Highgate School, Hornsey School for Girls and Greig City Academy.

The Under-16 team is also trying to raise money for a trip to Jamaica on October 20, to spread awareness of sport in the borough and play against the Jamaican National Under-17s.

So far, they have paid for their flights after raising thousands from holding Christmas fairs and sponsored matches but they say they are always “grateful” for extra support and donations for accommodation and spending money.

To donate and help the girls raise enough money for their trip to Jamaica, visit their Just Giving page: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/saintsvsjamaica