Students Experience Electric Netball Showdown at the Copper Box Arena
On Sunday evening, a group of our enthusiastic students and staff travelled to London’s Copper Box Arena for an unforgettable live netball experience, watching London Pulse take on Nottingham Forest in a thrilling Netball Superleague clash.
The trip, led by Mrs Hartwell, provided 47 students—primarily members of the school’s netball club—with the opportunity to witness elite-level netball in action. Excitement built throughout the journey there as for many students this would be their very first live netball match.
From the moment the game began, the atmosphere inside the arena was electric. London Pulse, playing on home turf, faced a determined Nottingham Forest side in a closely contested match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. At half time, Charters School received a special shout-out that was broadcast on BBC iPlayer, with students’ handmade banners even appearing on screen—an exciting and proud moment for everyone involved.
The match itself proved to be a true spectacle. As Jessica reports:
“The Pulse vs Nottingham Forest match was absolutely fantastic! The atmosphere was amazing and we played really well. Even though we almost lost hope after the first half, Sophie Kelly and Olivia Tchin scored so many shots that we secured the win in the last 5 minutes!”
With the score tied at 53–53 at the end of normal time, the game went into a tense five minutes of extra time. The final moments were gripping, with staff and students alike fully absorbed in the drama—Miss Ellis was seen nervously perched on the edge of her seat as the clock ticked down.
London Pulse ultimately surged ahead to secure a 73–63 victory, much to the delight of the home crowd. The team later thanked supporters for their role in driving them to success, highlighting the powerful impact of the crowd’s energy—something Charters students were proud to have contributed to.
Students were fortunate enough to have photos taken with some of the Pulse team. Below they met Zara Everitt the Pulse captain who was presented on the night with flowers and balloons to celebrate her 150th NSL appearance – she also won the coaches' Player of the Match.
Then it was time for selfies with Sophie Kelly, the super shooter whose two-point super shots enabled the Pulse team to pull away in extra time and she was BBC Player of the Match.
Finally, our students met the youngest player to sign a professional contract in the Netball Super League (NSL), Grace Smith - which she did at age 15 last season.
Accompanying staff: Mrs Hartwell, Miss Ellis, Mrs Grosvenor, Mr Watts and Mr Myburgh all praised the students for their enthusiasm, behaviour, and support throughout the trip. The experience not only entertained but also inspired, offering valuable insight into the skill, teamwork, and intensity of top-level netball.
For many, it was a first taste of live professional sport—and one that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
