A sports initiative has given 350 schoolchildren the chance to try their hand at netball.
 
Ballacottier Primary took the honours in the netball competition that forms part of the Sure Sports Primary Schools Programme.
 
The programme is led by the Department of Education and Children’s Sports Development Unit, in partnership with sports’ governing bodies..
 
Each year, schools are offered the opportunity to participate in inter-school contests in six sports.
 
Last term, Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils trained in netball in preparation for regional festivals organised in partnership with the Manx Netball Association.
 
For many of the children taking part, it was their first opportunity to play the sport.  
 
Schools were eligible to enter provided they’d run after-school netball sessions for at least six weeks. Twenty eight schools took part in festivals held in the north, south, east and west of the Island. Some schools entered more than one team, which resulted in an impressive 49 teams participating.
 
The top two teams from each regional event contested the final, held at St Ninian’s Lower School.
 
Teams from Arbory, Ballacottier, Ballaugh (two teams), The Buchan, Cronk-y-Berry, Peel, Rushen St John’s, all clinched final places. After a fantastic afternoon’s play, Ballacottier took the honours, narrowly beating The Buchan in the final.
 
At each of the regional festivals, teams were also drawn from a hat to be invited to take part in a fun festival.
 
In this, teams got the chance to play against schools from other regions, with the focus on having fun. Schools involved were Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, Marown, Peel, St John’s (two teams).
 
Sarah Jarvis, Marketing Manager for Sure, said the company is proud to support the programme. She said: ‘I am always impressed by the commitment of the Sports Development Unit to promoting health, fitness and team sports for the Island’s youngsters. Seeing school teams in their Sure-branded kits, learning a new sport, is exactly what we hoped to achieve.’
 
Gianni Epifani, Senior Sports Development Officer, said ‘The primary schools’ festivals are a key tool used by the Sports Development Unit to introduce children from a young age into a variety of sports throughout the year.’
 
‘This year, High 5 Netball was introduced, which involves rotating positions. This means that all young people get to experience every position on court, meaning they gain more skills.’
 
Gianni said: ‘It was fantastic to see 350 pupils being given the opportunity to try out netball in their own school environment and this is a great stepping stone for them into community clubs.
 
‘All participants were awarded certificates and given information regarding local junior netball club training sessions should they wish to continue playing.’
 
He added: ‘Thanks must go to the umpires and help provided by Manx Netball Association, who volunteered their time to support the events, and to Sure for its continued support of the programme.’

To find out more about the programme or junior netball, contact the Sports Development Unit on 01624 688592 or email SDUenquiries@gov.im.