Over 100 individuals in 16 local netball teams competed in the final night of the South Cambridgeshire adult friendly netball league at Milton Community Centre on Thursday (22/3).

Success in Division A went to the Bulls whilst the Spitfires gained second place. Melbourn won Division B, beating runners-up the Saints.

The league is in its fourth year and follows the successful roll out of the Women Try Netball sessions across the district, set up and funded by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2008, to address the growing concern for the under representation of women in sport. Netball was identified as an activity that most women would have taken part in at school and which, champions the social and physical benefits of sport as well as enhancing mental wellbeing.

Women Try Netball is a 10-week, gentle re-introduction to the sport for all women aged 16 and over. Sessions are coach led and cover the basics of the game, from chest passes to footwork. Many players go on to form teams for the adult friendly netball league whilst others join local clubs and enter the Cambridgeshire District Netball Association to play competitively.

Women Try Netball sessions also enable South Cambridgeshire District Council to support trainee umpires by giving them the opportunity to practice at matches, to receive mentoring and to understand the local netball league structure.

Cllr James Hockney, South Cambridgeshire District Council member champion for the Olympics presented the awards. He said:

It is encouraging to see more teams enter the league year on year, it demonstrates how successful the Women Try Netball initiative has been and continues to be.

Huge congratulations to this year’s winners and to all the teams that took part. For most participants, it is the first time they have played a proper netball fixture since school; the league is about rediscovering sporting abilities, getting active again, and meeting a group of like-minded people. I would encourage as many local women as possible to enter the next adult friendly league when it starts again in November.

Hundreds of local women from all over the district are trying their hand at netball each week. For your nearest session, or to join a team for the next adult friendly league, contact Helen Stepney on 07732 222905.