A COMMUNITY netball league is going from strength to strength just months after its inaugural season at Tudor Grange School.
The Leagues4You Netball League was founded in April this year and has since grown from a six-team league to a nine-team league, with new squads already added to the waiting list in anticipation of the new league season which starts in November.
Sixty ladies play each week in the competitive yet friendly league which has attracted some star players from the past who haven’t picked up a ball since their school days.
With the addition of Coventry-based Wasps Netball Team in recent weeks, sports coordinator at Leagues4You Clair Andrews said more ladies are deciding to have another go at one of the UK’s most popular team games.
The league welcomes any players aged 14 and above, and actively encourages girls to get more active and make new friends through sport.
Clair said: “Netball is continually growing in the midlands – often work and family commitments can get in the way of things but we run every week on a Tuesday night and it’s proved really popular so far.
“The girls are turning up each week and making some great friends.
“Some teams have upped the ante and invested in their own kits, but generally it’s a fun evening and we’ve only had positive feedback so far.”
League nights take place at Tudor Grange School on Tuesday nights from 6pm, running until 9pm.
Each night features four league matches – across one season each team will face each other twice before the final game of the season where the champions are crowned.
Gemma Abbott, captain of Netty Mums Team: “We are a group of mums that have met at our children’s school, we fancied trying something completely new and different.
“Most of us haven’t played since school – for me we’re talking 20 years ago.
“We were all extremely nervous when we turned up for our first match wondering what on earth were we doing.
“However, once the whistle blew we all jumped into action and were surprised how the game gradually came back to us.
“We have still got an awful lot to learn but as the weeks pass, we are getting stronger, fitter and more confident.
“I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve done for a long time.”
Visit www.facebook.com/Leagues4yousolihull for further information about the league and other sports available.
