| On Sunday, February 1st 2015 Grasshoppers Netball Club hosted another successful Family Fun Netball Tournament – this time in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Both Senior and Junior Club members took part, roping in family and friends too – some of which had never played netball before! In support of the chosen charity, players donned fancy dress including scrubs, aprons, bandages and plasters! Four newly-formed teams participated enthusiastically in a round-robin tournament with the Green team victorious and presented with their cookie medals. A raffle added to the fundraising and with a few additional donations the final total raised stands at a fantastic £166.50. Thanks go to Sandwell Leisure Trust who donated the use of the sports hall at Haden Hill Leisure Centre. To find out more about Grasshoppers NC, visit: http://grasshoppers-netball.co.uk/ |
 Wednesday 18th February was a busy day for netball in South Staffordshire, with 2 festivals in 1 day for Zoe, Netball Development Community Coach and Kate, Netball Development Officer. The first festival was at the University of Wolverhampton, and engaged 16 students from the Walsall and City Campuses, in a fun and friendly mixed social festival. The students were encouraged to try various positions and had some fun playing against some of the boys from the University BUCS Football and Basketball teams. The students then went on to support the BUCS Quarter final matches for both men’s Rugby and Basketball. The second festival of the day took place at George Salter Academy in West Bromwich. This was a fantastic mini-match night for local Back to Netballers, with 42 ladies and some travelling from Stone & Stafford to join the fun! The ladies were put into teams at random, and were encouraged to mingle and meet other Back to Netballers. The evening was great fun with some competitive netball and, smiles and laughter throughout the evening. Zoe commented on the evening and said ‘it was lovely to see all the teams encouraging each other throughout the evening’. The last few matches were very close and the final result was based only on goal difference, with a win of +2 for the Green team! Annette Daley said ‘I really enjoyed the matches, playing some different positions and meeting new ladies.’ A big thank you must be said to Karon Senft from West Brom Netball Club for umpiring and supporting both of the festivals, in addition to Kate Roberts and West Brom Netball Club for providing the young Umpires and for helping run the successful mini-match night. 
Twenty-one of the selected athletes and reserves attended the U16 County Academy Performance Day, held on Sunday 7th September at George Salter Academy. The day began with two ‘icebreaker’ activities, where the girls from different clubs and areas of the County got to know each other better. Following this, the athletes were introduced to the Performance Pathway by Lesley Blair, the Regional Performance Coach and were guided through the ‘My Game Plan’ athlete’s folder by Abi Weake, one of the County Academy Coaches. The athletes then were involved in Attack and Defence workshops led by Lesley Blair and Pam Hesson (Regional Coach), followed by Strength and Conditioning activities led by Sally Chambers (U12, U13 & U14 Assistant Coach). By then, all were ready for a well-earned lunch break! In the afternoon session, athletes were organised into a series of games, enabling selectors to see their application of skills in game situations and to have a closer look at the girls who were not already selected. Six of the reserved were selected for the County Academy as places had become available due to previously selected athletes being selected for the Regional Academy. Feedback from the athletes at the end of the day indicated that they had all enjoyed the day, although it had been hard work, with a range of preferred activities. We will be arranging at least one other Performance Day during the season. On the 28th and 29th of July and the 11th and 12th of August West Bromwich Netball Club ran a Netball Camp at George Salter Academy for any club players looking to get out of the house and do some pre-season training. These camps were not only held for West Bromwich Netball Club girls but any girls from across South Staffordshire clubs such as; Barr Beacon, Grasshoppers, Dudley and Yendy’s. There was an excellent turn out from many clubs and a variety of ages ranging from 10-18. We took part in various different workshops consisting of ball skills, positional play and also fitness sessions. The camp was run by Kate Roberts who coaches West Bromwich Netball club but we also had two guest coaches as well. Lindsay Male (U14 County Head Coach) delivered a centre court workshop which I can say I personally thoroughly enjoyed and also Zoe Wanklin (NDCC) delivered a brilliant FitNet session. On the 29th of July as I’m sure all netballers know, team England played Trinidad and Tobago in the Commonwealth Games, so we thought it would be beneficial to watch and take note of our very own team England battle their way through and end up beating Trinidad and Tobago. Everyone at the camp was gripped to the Netball and it really inspired us to play more Netball. On behalf of all the West Bromwich girls and coaches I would like to thank everyone that turned up and made the camp as successful and enjoyable as it was. I hope you all enjoyed the experience and I hope you will consider joining us in our future netball camps. A big thank you as well to Young Volunteers Ezana Overton, Chloe Stephenson and Jaz Hayer for giving up their time and helping at the camp. Article written by Ellie Bennett. Well Done to the following girls who attended the camp:
 On Thursday 22nd July West Bromwich Netball Club hosted their first large fundraising event at George Salter Academy. The club was established in 2012 when a small group of volunteers came together to provide Netballing opportunities for the local community. The club has gone from strength to strength and now has over 80 members in 7 teams across various Senior, Back to Netball and the Regional/ County Junior Leagues. In order to cope with the increase in numbers and development of the elite section of the club we hosted a Family Fun Tournament and Presentation Night.
It was a glorious evening that attracted over 100 players, family and supporters. Teams were made up of West Brom players, coaches, parents, friends and staff from George Salter Academy. All parents and players were a great support and produced a brilliant buffet spread that kept the players going in the boiling temperatures! Presentations concluded the evening to celebrate both individual and team successes over the season. ‘It was such a brilliant night for our friends and families to see how much this club means to us and to have all of our big Netball family all together. On behalf of the players I would like to thank everyone that has made an impact this season; coaches, parents and supporters’ (Ellie Bennett, U14’s). The club raised £282 to go towards the 2014-2015 season which we hope is going to be as successful as the last. West Bromwich Netball Club would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the evening and made it an event to remember.  This season saw the Dudley Netball League return to George Salter Academy, celebrating their 40th Anniversary at the place where it all began so many years earlier as the Dudley & District Netball League.
Each season the League has been committed to raising funds to support local charities and this year has seen them driving support for a cause very close to their hearts. Local netballer, Lee Willington tragically suffered a cardiac event whilst playing a netball match for her team Zeus. Lee survived but has been left severely brain damaged and is reliant on constant care from her family. With a partner and two children under the age of 5, Dudley Netball League wanted to help support the family any way they could and committed themselves to raising £3000 to help fund a special chair for Lee. They could not have anticipated the response they received from the netballing community… In the 14 weeks since the League played its first matches of 2014 they have seen donations pour in from just about everyone possible; teams, players, umpires, Walsall Netball League, pupils from the School where Lee taught, local businesses, along with friends and colleagues of players and the league totalling over £2350. To further support with fundraising, Midrange Netball Club held a family fun day on Sunday 6th July which included a netball tournament, bouncy castles, netball stands, candy cart, minion mascot, raffle and tombola. A total of 28 teams played netball and over 350 participants, umpires and spectators took part in the special event. With the League still to hold a charity evening at Sedgeley Working Mens Club on the 29th July, it’s looking likely they are going to smash their target with donations of a TV, signed football shirts, vouchers and many more items for the raffle. Even the venue and evening’s entertainment have been gifted in aid of such a great cause. Whilst in pursuit of raising funds, the League has been at the forefront of raising awareness of Lee’s cause and have even helped secure funding, along with George Salter Academy, from the British Heart Foundation and Ambulance Trust for an AED which will be on site at the Academy and available for both the League, School and community use. Kate Roberts, Coaching Development Officer at George Salter Academy said of the league and AED ‘When the Dudley Netball League decided to relocate to George Salter Academy this year we worked hard to ensure a high standard facility which accommodated the leagues requirements. With this came the request for an AED to be installed onto the community site. The committee discussed at lengths the importance of the defibrillator and why this was so close to their hearts. The Academy and committee then worked together and produced a bid to the British Heart Foundation to have an AED installed on the premises. We are delighted as an Academy to have had the bid approved and to now provide a community sports facilities that is much more equipped to deal with a heart attack’. It’s been an astonishing effort from the League Committee and the response from the netballing community has been astounding, everyone has come together to support a very special cause. Any donations for Lee and her family can be made by contacting Dudley Netball League. Pictured bove are representatives from Dudley Netball League (L-R) Rose Peakman (Match & Registration), Carol Finlan (Fundraising), Diane Parkes (Honarary Member) and Jo Steventon (Vice Chairman) |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
August 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
