'Special team' raise hopes of bright future for Guernsey Netball

But after the Guernsey U18s triumphed 52-45 to prevent a seemingly imminent ‘redwash’ in the sister isle, Heidi Rosamund admitted that they have a record of losing promising players to university.

‘We have got a long history of losing the players to university and not having the funding and links in place,’ she said.

Rosamund hopes that this scenario can be addressed in the continued evolution of the Guernsey Netball Association, with one of her main wishes being funding for players to attend league matches.

• Podcast: Hear a full interview with Guernsey Netball's new head coach Sally Carns on the latest Guernsey Press Sport Podcast

The current U18s have excelled through the age groups, going unbeaten in inter-insulars from U11s upwards.

‘The players are there – they’re a very special team, there’s no doubt about that,’ she said.

‘If we can keep those players together, I think that bodes very well for a bright future for Guernsey.’

• Watch: Sally Carns on the U18s' win

She praised the ‘really experienced’ GNA head coach Sally Carns – who visits semi-regularly from her UK base – but is hoping for more support in the island too.

This is off to a promising start with the GNA’s five-year plan and schemes such as Future Panthers.

As things stand, Jersey maintain a stranglehold on the senior inter-insular, extending their long winning streak with a 74-27 victory in Sunday’s showpiece match.

The ruthless reds swept through the six other matches, though they only edged through a tight veterans’ contest that ended 39-37.

Guernsey players and coaches alike took several positives from the first inter-insular since 2019, with Carns enjoying a pleasing debut.

‘It’s just been fantastic,’ she said.

‘I’ve never been to anything inter-insular before, so it’s my first experience of the event as well.’

• Read our full inter-insular coverage in Tuesday's paper