Seven Towers Senior 1 secure promotion after extra-time netball thriller

The winning Seven Towers Senior 1 netball team with coach, Lauren Walsh

Seven Towers Senior 1 netball team have secured promotion to the Netball Northern Ireland Senior 2 League after a dramatic extra-time victory in a high-pressure play-off against Westside 2 on Wednesday evening.

Proudly sponsored by Howdens Kitchens, Seven Towers were taken to the limit in a fiercely contested match, with the sides level at full time.

With promotion on the line, the Senior 1 squad showed composure and determination in extra time, pulling clear to seal a 51–47 win and confirm their place in Senior 2 for next season.

The play-off proved a demanding test from start to finish, with both teams trading momentum throughout. When the pressure intensified, Seven Towers responded with a disciplined and collective performance, underpinned by resilience and teamwork.

Every player contributed during the decisive extra period, reflecting the standards and togetherness built over the course of the season.

Speaking after the match, Seven Towers Netball Club chairperson and coach Julie-Anne Cairns paid tribute to the wider effort behind the achievement.

“As club chair, I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in this achievement. From our players to our coaches and volunteers, this promotion is the result of sustained hard work, resilience and belief in the vision we have been building towards over the last four and a half seasons.”

She highlighted the influence of Senior Coach Lauren Walsh and the development within the squad.

“A huge amount of credit must go to our Senior Coach, Lauren Walsh, and the impact she has made within this group. The growth of players, the standards set and the collective mindset within Senior 1 have been exceptional, and last night was a true reflection of that work.”

Cairns also pointed to the emergence of young talent within the team, underlining the effectiveness of the club’s development pathway.

“It was especially encouraging to see four players still eligible to represent Seven Towers at Under 19 level step up into Senior 1 and hold their own. That speaks volumes about the strength and depth within our club right now and shows that our club pathway into senior netball is effective and fit for purpose.”

Looking to the future, she emphasised the club’s ambition to retain and develop players within Seven Towers.

“We are incredibly proud of the number of performance pathway players coming through our club. Our vision is clear — to build Seven Towers as a club they can call home, without needing to move elsewhere to play at a higher level. This promotion is a key step in creating that environment and retaining the talent we are developing through our own pathway.”

The promotion also reflects wider progress across the club in recent seasons.

“The club has gone through significant positive change in recent years, welcoming back former players while also recruiting new ones. We now have a strong, stable club structure that is moving forward with confidence. Senior 1 are the flagship of what our club is capable of and will always be treated with that respect.”

Cairns concluded by thanking those who have supported the team’s journey and reflecting on how far the squad has come.

“Thank you to all our coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, and to Howdens Kitchens for their continued support of our senior squads this season.

“Two seasons ago we were competing in Senior 4. Last night we secured promotion to Senior 2. That journey shows just how far we have come, and while we know the next step will bring new challenges, we are incredibly proud of this moment and excited for what lies ahead.”