'CAPTAIN fantastic' Lydia Hine led Manchester Thunder U15's to the netball title at the School Games National Finals.
The inspirational King's School Macclesfield goal defence, who has been playing netball since she was just seven, helped the Thunder pathway side beat Surrey Storm by nine goals n a hard-fought final at Loughborough University.
Over the four-day event, the team had beaten Loughborough Lightning in the semi-finals, and were undefeated against Severn Stars, Team Bath, Leeds Rhinos and Wasps Netball in the round robin, as the cream of young netball talent competed in the blue-ribbon event.
Lydia, pictured, has been a key member of her school team and her club side Kingsway Power in Manchester and is hoping to one day earn national honours. She said: "I just want to be as good as I can and keep learning and improving."
Nat Kerrigan, Thunder coach, said: "Lydia has shown outstanding leadership across the whole tournament both on and off the court, portraying great encouragement, enthusiasm and self-belief."
"As a leader she has nurtured an incredible team of athletes that included two late replacements due to Covid. Her determinationa and passion for the sport are infectious and she successfully led an undefeated team through to the final."