Sheffield netball club gets back on court as restrictions ease

South Yorkshire outdoor leagues have already started and all their U12, 13, 14, 16 and three senior teams have faced competition under the rules of modified netball set by the governing body to allow a safe return.

It has been quite a year for the sport, as netball along with most other activities were banned from face-to-face contact, to be replaced by Zoom activities. The range of ways club members kept in touch included a regular adult quiz to replace training, a Christmas murder mystery party on Zoom, regular fun online sessions for girls to keep players engaged and active as well as many weekly social groups.

The junior section of the club continues to flourish and is looking forward to competing in South Yorkshire and Regional leagues next season. With this in mind the club are enlarging their performance squads and are inviting years seven, eight, nine and ten girls for trials with the aim of playing county level and above. There are also vacancies in their ‘Bee Netball’ sessions aimed at years three to six. For more details of junior netball training contact Caroline Graham on [email protected].

The newest section of Sheffield Concord Netball Club, Net4All for girls and women with additional intellectual needs, was only in its second season when lockdown hit.The coaches, including junior and adult club members, worked hard to keep this new community together.Apart from the monthly Zoom sessions where fun exercises were shared to try to stay active, they held quizzes, monthly challenges set by one of the junior coaches Hannah Blythe and were sent motivating cards. They even compiled a ‘Pass the Ball’ fun video where coaches and players could send in their own five second skill! They returned to training with strict risk mitigation in April and are hoping for a social outdoor fun games and picnic in July before restarting for the new season.For details of how to join Net4All contact Helen Thorneloe on [email protected].