The Silver Coast Sirens took not one, but TWO teams to the Algarve this weekend to compete in the second Mermaid Trophy, featuring running and walking netball competitions.
Almost 200 goals were scored across 15 games by five clubs, with the Sirens being the only team to field two sides – Sirens Black and Sirens Gold. It was also the first time of travelling in the new tournament kit of silver and aqua.
Last year’s champions Lagos Fireballs fiercely defended and retained the title, with Sirens Black taking second place and remaining unbeaten in all of their games at the tournament held at Browns Sports Resort in Vilamoura. Sirens Black player Jen Rolland was named Outstanding Player of the Tournament.
Last year’s tournament was the first ever to feature only teams from Portugal and demonstrating the growth of netball in Portugal over the last year, two new clubs took part – Vilamoura Vipers and Albufeira Allstars. In addition, multiple other clubs, including teams flying in from the UK, took part in a two day walking netball tournament held in a near-by town.
Susanne Spivey from Netball Portugal, says the organisation is thrilled with the emergence of new clubs “The Allstars have been together for just a few months and have already managed to establish a dedicated netball court in Albufeira. We’re especially excited about the Vipers who, not only play as very skilled game, but as a very young team, we see driving forward the future of netball in Portugal”.
The Sirens are next in action in a return trip to the south in the Algarve 7s in June. For more pics of the day's action click here
