Oaksway Netball Club's Leah Kennedy makes debut for England in Europe Open triumph

Kennedy gained her first cap for her nation as they won the Netball Europe Open.

For a proud Oaksway, 23-year-old Kennedy is the club’s first player to be capped at senior level after many age group caps in the past.

Oaksway coach Jill Foreman said: “It’s fantastic for Leah, she has done incredibly well.

“She actually came to the sport relatively late at the age of 15 and has risen through the ranks to captain Team Northumbria last season.

“We are all really proud at the club and pleased for Leah and hope she can become a regular in the England squad.

“They have the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships coming up in the next couple of years and it would be great if Leah was an integral member of the team.”

The Championship section of the competition, was contested between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales,

Kennedy played in England’s group wins over Northern Ireland, 83-32, and Scotland, 70-26, in the tournament at Sport Central at Northumbria University, home to the Vitality Netball Superleague’s Team Northumbria.

England won the tournament with victory over Wales in the final, winning 81-42.

A successful first-look at coach Tracey Neville’s new, young and exciting England squad will leave few doubting the potential this side has as they racked up three ruthless victories against their European rivals.