TRAFFORD Netball are set to take on competition from across the country at this weekend's National Playoffs.

The club's senior team are into the playoffs for the first time, with a place in the Premier League system at stake.

Trafford sealed their attendance at the National Playoffs with a win against Manchester Fury at the start of the month, a result to cap a campaign in the North West Regional League which saw them win 18 and lose two.

But the senior team still go into this weekend in Warwick as the underdogs, given they've never reached this stage until now.

Faye Dunn, who captains Trafford alongside coach and mum Joan Dunn, described the team as the ones to watch nonetheless.

She told The Messenger: "I think we've got a good chance, to be honest.

"We'll be the underdogs, having not been before, but we've got the backing of all the other north west teams. We'll be the team to watch, I think.

Asked about the recipe for Trafford's success, which comes after a number of seasons in mid-table or even in the fight for relegation, Faye cited a combination of youth and experience.

A trio of players are on the path to the Netball Superleague, one of whom is also on the England Roses player pathway, while other players have been in the team for more than a decade.

Faye said: "We've got one player on the Roses Pathway and three of the girls are playing for Manchester Thunder on the development squads.

"But we've also got players who have been at Trafford Netball for more than 10 years. Most of the squad came through from Trafford Juniors."

For information on Trafford Netball, go to traffordnetballclub.co.uk.

To follow the team's progress at the National Playoffs this weekend, follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.