The National Age Group U17 & U19 Championships took place across Gloucester, with City of Manchester mens teams returning home with gold and bronze medals after a weekend of outstanding performances.
The U17 squad delivered a remarkable tournament, finishing undefeated and claiming the National Championship title. Their semi‑final clash against a strong Caledonia side proved to be one of the toughest tests of the weekend. Locked neck and neck heading into the final quarter CoM showed their composure and strength, pulling away decisively to secure a 17–12 victory.
The final saw Manchester face North London, with both teams arriving unbeaten and eager to lift the trophy. It was a tense, drama‑filled contest, with neither side able to gain a comfortable advantage throughout the match. In a thrilling finish, Manchester held their nerve, edging the contest 14–12 to become U17 National Champions.
Adding to the celebrations, Calean was deservedly named top U17 Goalkeeper, recognition of an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
The U19 team also delivered a strong performance. Facing an exceptionally strong Caledonia squad in the semi‑finals, our young Manchester side fought hard but ultimately fell 18–11. The result set up a bronze‑medal match against West London Penguins, a familiar rival with a long history of closely contested encounters.
Knowing the challenge ahead Manchester stepped up when it mattered most. In a fiercely contested match, they fought for every possession and secured a hard‑earned 17–15 win to take home the bronze medal.
Across both age groups, the championships showcased not just medal success but the true spirit of City of Manchester. The U17 and U19 squads supported each other throughout the weekend, creating a great atmosphere.
A huge thank you goes to all the players for their commitment, the coaches and team managers for all their time and hard work and the parents and supporters whose energy and encouragement made a real difference throughout the championships.
Congratulations to everyone involved – a fantastic achievement for the club and a weekend to be very proud of.