Aberdeen Sports Village was proud to host the 2026 Europe Netball U17 Championships, welcoming some of the most promising young athletes in international netball for a weekend of high-quality competition.
Across three days, teams from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the UAE took to the courts, supported by coaches, officials and spectators who created a fantastic atmosphere throughout the venue. The event showcased the strength of emerging talent, with fast-paced matches and impressive performances across the weekend.
It was a pleasure to welcome players, staff and supporters from across Europe and beyond to our facilities, and to see Aberdeen host international sport once again. Events like this play an important role in supporting the development of young athletes while bringing the wider community together.
A strong finish to a competitive weekend
The Championships brought together a full schedule of fixtures, with each team playing multiple matches across the three days.
Throughout the event, a number of closely contested games highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, including a narrow result between UAE and Northern Ireland on the final day.
England and Scotland both delivered strong performances across the weekend, consistently demonstrating quality and teamwork. England ultimately remained unbeaten to retain the title, while Scotland secured an impressive second-place finish on home soil.
Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UAE also contributed to a competitive and engaging tournament, underlining the depth of emerging talent across all nations involved.
England retain title with unbeaten run
England U17 were crowned champions following an outstanding tournament, successfully defending their title with a clean sweep of victories.
They opened their campaign with an 89–15 win over the Republic of Ireland, followed by a 76–27 victory against the UAE. Momentum continued with a 75–34 win over Northern Ireland, setting up a final against Scotland.
In the final, England delivered a composed performance to secure a 77–35 win and confirm their place at the top of the standings. Scotland also impressed throughout the tournament, finishing second on home soil after a strong and consistent campaign.
Speaking after the match, England captain Anna-Dale Smith said:
“We’re so happy. Our focus for the competition was to grow through it and improve as players and people, and I think we achieved that. Supporting each other and working as a team is what got us over the line.”
A successful event for players and supporters
The Championships highlighted the importance of international competition at youth level, giving players valuable experience on a competitive stage while inspiring the next generation of netball talent.
Aberdeen Sports Village would like to thank Europe Netball, all participating teams, officials, volunteers and our staff for their contribution to a successful event.
We look forward to welcoming more national and international competitions to our venue in the future.
