A CLUTCH of teenage netballers with Northwich or Middlewich backgrounds are preparing for an unprecedented opportunity of a lifetime.

They are in the Cheshire County Netball under 17s squad which will compete in the 2024 USA Netball Open Championships - the first time a UK county or club team will have taken part in the event.

The girls will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to compete in the competition between November 8 and 10, timing the trip with other opportunities to raise the profile of the sport across America.

The selected team is made up of Cheshire athletes who all trialled and were selected for their county last year, playing as part of the Cheshire County Academy under 15s or under 17s squads.

Aged 15 to 17, the girls are from clubs and schools across Cheshire and also within the team there are a number of franchise pathway athletes who play for Manchester Thunder, Severn Stars and Leeds Rhinos.

During their week in USA, aside from competing in the Championships, the girls will be working in schools and colleges to showcase netball and inspire a country-wide uptake in the sport.

The team will be playing netball but also involved in mentoring, coaching and umpiring.

Cheshire County Netball performance development lead Nikki Kendrick said: “We are thrilled to be the first UK club to be invited to take part in the US Netball Open Championships, the biggest and most prestigious netball tournament in the US.

“This squad is very deserving of this fantastic opportunity, they are a fantastic group of hard working, dedicated and talented athletes as well as being a lovely bunch of girls!

“We can’t wait to compete but also to showcase our love of netball to US schools and colleges.

“We hope we can evoke the same passion for netball that we have in Phoenix this November!

“We’re looking for sponsors and also fundraising opportunities, so everyone can enjoy this opportunity to the full.

“Check out our tour journey on Facebook at Cheshire County Netball and on instagram @Cheshirecna.”

Women's and co-ed teams from 24 US states and eight countries will be competing for the prestigious titles of US Open netball champions.

Among the Cheshire squad heading to America are (name, age, club, school/college):

Caitlin Campbell, 15, Northwich Sapphires, The County High School, Leftwich

Tilly Birks, 17, Cheshire Stars (based in Middlewich), Sir John Deanes 6th form college, Northwich

Ella Cox, 16, Cheshire Stars, Alsager School

Isobel Duffy, 17, Cheshire Stars, Loreto College

Ruby Stewart, 16, Cheshire Stars, Sandbach School 6th form

Bella Carleton-Bland, 16, Wilmslow Lightning, Sir John Deanes 6th form college, Northwich

Cheshire County Netball is one of the major county academies in the north west and, under the umbrella of England Netball, offer the county player development programme.

Athletes from across the county trial at the beginning of each season, and those successful, join one of the county squads – ranging from under 12s to under 17s.

The county squads train weekly and teams are selected from each county squad to compete against other county academies in various performance tournaments throughout the season.