Recent Festival of Netball in Ricky

Teams from across the county came to William Penn Leisure Centre recently for a netball festival.

Four Back to Netball groups from across the county took part in the recent netball festival. Berkhamsted Back to Netball was victorious after some extremely close games. This was followed with a Walking Netball tournament where another four teams took part with Ricky Rockets from Rickmansworth this time running out as winners.

Louise Twyman, coach of the William Penn Back to and Walking Netball Groups, said: “I would like to congratulate all the ladies that played. It was brilliant to see so many playing competitive netball and loving it! It is a testimony to how much fun the back to netball and walking netball programmes are. I know some were quite nervous about taking part but they can all feel really proud of their achievements. I would encourage anyone who is thinking about trying netball again to come along to one of our sessions - there is always a lot of laughter...and sometimes cake too!”

Both events were supported by England Netball who provided the umpires and prizes for both winners.

Lucy Prestedge, England Netball Development Coach for Hertfordshire, said: “It was fantastic to see so many women playing netball. There were some closely fought matches, but all played in good spirits and with excellent sportsmanship. Both back to netball and walking netball are a brilliant way to get active and learn some new skills in a fun and friendly environment, and I would encourage anyone to give it a try!’’

The Back to and Walking Netball classes at William Penn form part of the Council’s Get Active programme.

Ryan Watson, Sports Development Officer at Three Rivers District Council, added: “A big thank you to everyone involved from all the ladies who took part across both days to the coaches Louise, Lucy and Sally and staff at William Penn for providing teas and coffees after the event. It was a great couple of days and there was some good, competitive netball played. If you’re interested in giving netball a go then come along to one of our weekly classes.”