TWO talented netballers from Herefordshire will be shooting for the Stars.

Lucy Pugh and Lily Down are among three pupils at Monmouth School for Girls who have been selected in the Severn Stars Under-17 Nova Academy.

Pugh, aged 16, is from Hereford, and Down, aged 15, is from Ross-on-Wye.

The school has teamed up with Severn Stars, one of the UK’s leading netball clubs, for this partnership.

Severn Stars Netball is a joint franchise between the University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire and a member of the Vitality Super League, the top level in British club netball.

The aim of Severn Stars’ Nova Academy programme is to engage with the surrounding area and develop a pool of young talent.

Severn Stars also runs Nova Academies for under-17s in educational centres across the West Midlands and south west region, including in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

Monmouth School for Girls will host its Nova Academy, providing the under-17 players with training sessions, strength and conditioning programmes and provision, high level technical training, sports therapy and off-court support.

The girls will work towards competing in the Severn Stars under-17 National Performance League team and, beyond that, the club’s under-19, under-21 and professional sides.

As part of the Nova Academy programme, all three Monmouth girls will receive Severn Stars training kit and a training journal.