Simcocks Eagles Netball Club is aiming high this season after securing continued support from its sponsors.

The club, which has more than 70 members, plays in the Manx Netball Association League. Simcocks Red and Simcocks Blue compete in the Premier Division, Simcocks White in Division 1, Simcocks Green in Division 2 and there are also 4 Teams in the Junior League which is U16’s.

Simcocks, a law practice based in Ridgeway Street, Douglas, has more than 40 staff and a number are keen netballers.

The company’s finance manager Claire Belcher-Smith is chair, captain, treasurer, coach and B-graded umpire of the club which has been competing in the league for a number of years. She said: “It is thought that more than one million women and girls play netball every week in the UK and in the Isle of Man there is a great deal of interest and a strong following but without financial support we wouldn’t be able to keep netball at the forefront of women’s sport on the Island.

“The team play in a very smart red and blue kit and we are looking forward to the new fixtures. Simcocks has sponsored the club for two years and through their support and the hard work of the Club members we have continued to grow to become one of the largest clubs on the Island.”

Simcocks chief executive, Phil Games said: “The club has four coaches, eight umpires and more than 70 players and we want to continue to support them. Netball is more than just a sport to those who play and support the game.

“This summer the England squad produced its finest performance against Jamaica to take the bronze medal at the World Cup in Sydney and we hope this success will provide inspiration to the athletes here in the Isle of Man. We have many keen sportsmen and women at Simcocks and we believe it is important to support sport at the grass roots to foster the next generation of players.”

Simcocks Juniors (Year 5-10) meet and train on Monday nights at CRHS from 6-7.30pm. The Red, Blue, White and Green teams also train on Monday from 7.30-9pm at CRHS with additional training for the Red and Blue teams on Tuesday from 7-8pm at the NSC. For more details about the club contact Claire Belcher-Smith at clairebelcher@manx.net.