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Walking Netball Festival 2016

On Sunday 11th December 2016, over 80 ladies came together to celebrate the success of Walking Netball across the East Region in Netball East’s First Walking Netball Festival.
The festival took place at Cambridge University Sports Centre, a fabulous new 2 indoor court venue which was perfect!

There were 9 teams taking part, all from different Walking Netball Sessions within the Region;

  • Braintree B52’s! – from Alec Hunter School sessions in Braintree, Essex
  • Silsoe Scorpions – from Silsoe Community Sports Centre sessions in Silsoe, Bedfordshire
  • Hatfield Eagles 1 – from Stanborough School Sessions in Welwyn, Hertfordshire
  • Hatfield Eagles 2 – from Stanborough School Sessions in Welwyn, Hertfordshire
  • Dereham Dazzlers – from Dereham Leisure Centre Sessions in Dereham, Norfolk
  • Suffolk Stars – from Ipswich School Sports Centre Sessions in Ipswich, Suffolk
  • Watton Wigglers – from Watton Sports and Social Club in Watton, Norfolk
  • Ladies of Leisure – from Avenue Park in Baldock, Hertfordshire
  • Chelmsford Walking Netball – from Waterside Farm and Leisure Centre, Essex

The tournament was a round robin, each team playing each other once. Everyone was in such high spirits throughout the day, putting into practice their skills and remembering the new Walking Netball rules.

Netball East ran a raffle and a cake sale to raise money for England Netball’s Charity Partner Cancer Research UK. Raffle prizes were donated from Netball East staff, Hertfordshire Mavericks and some of the teams on the day. In total we raised £193.70 for Cancer Research UK. Thanks to everyone who donated!

There were lots of great wiggling and giggling on court and all the teams seemed to be enjoying themselves!
We asked each team why they loved Walking Netball, these were the responses:

“It's great to be able to play Netball again, it so much fun. We spend most of the session laughing.” Karen from Hatfield Eagles 2.

“I would never have attempted real netball but Walking netball has given me the confidence to have a go. It’s the funniest hour of my week” Emma from Silsoe Scorpions.

“I love walking netball because I am too old to run etc., but still get a buzz being on a court and playing in a team sport.” Judy from Suffolk Stars.

 “It doesn’t matter if your health limits you on what you can do, its somewhere to go that emphasizes the fun element with whatever level of exercise or participation that you are comfortable with.” Lyn from Dereham Dazzlers.

“Walking Netball is such an amazing sport and I am so chuffed to be part of it at its inception.  Ladies of all ages and skills playing and laughing together is brilliant.  One of my ladies is so proud quoting on social media 'I never thought I would be playing and loving Netball at the age of 60'.  It’s so enjoyable.” Sarah from Ladies of Leisure.

“Join walking netball we guarantee you will love it.” Linda and Louise from Chelmsford Walking Netball.

After some great fun, the results were in:

  • Winners in 1st place were Hatfield Eagles
  • 2nd place Runners Up were Chelmsford Walking Netball

We also had an award for ‘Spirit of the Day’ we gave this award to two teams for completely embracing the spirit of Walking Netball and wiggling and giggling all day. We awarded this to Dereham Dazzlers and Watton Wigglers.

Netball East would like to congratulate all the teams that took part and would like to say a huge thank you to Cambridgeshire University Sports Centre for providing us with such a great venue and all their wonderful support throughout the day! Benecos UK for some fabulous goody bags for every single lady that took part and the netballs they provided for us to use for our matches. The East Regional Management Board for supporting to fund the event and Mavericks Netball for donating some lovely prizes for our raffle. Our fab Walking Netball Hosts for entering teams and continuing to deliver Walking Netball across our region and our volunteers helping on the day and being wonderful umpires.