St Ninian’s High School recently played host to the much anticipated Primary Schools National Netball Final, with eight hopeful primary schools from around the Island gathering on court to compete for the accolade of 2011 National Netball Champions. The programme began back in January of this year when primary schools from around the Island began their netball training for the Primary School Regional Netball Festivals. Teachers, parent helpers and coaches from around the Island dedicated their time and efforts into facilitating after school club sessions for the 28 participating Primary Schools. The minimum requirement was for schools to deliver six weeks’ worth of training sessions in preparation for the events but lots of the schools put in many more hours of hard work in addition to this. The week commencing 21 March was a busy week for the Sports Development Unit with five interschool Netball Festivals taking place on consecutive days around the Island. A total of 40 teams from 28 schools were competing for the top places in their region to go through to the National Netball Final. The week was a huge success with over 400 girls and boys having lots of fun playing competitive netball matches. The programme culminated on 12 May with the following teams gathering for the Netball Final: Rushen, Buchan (South), Sulby, Laxey (North), Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, St John’s (West), Ballacottier and Murray’s Road (East). Buchan School were the eventual winners and were presented the National Netball Trophy by the Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure. Mr Cretney said: ‘It was a pleasure to attend the event and present the prizes. It was encouraging to see so many young children enjoying their sport and getting so much out of participating.’ Emma Callow, Community Sports Development Officer said: ‘The focus now for the Sports Development Unit is to ensure those 400 children who have enjoyed playing netball in a school environment continue enjoying the sport by moving on to play in a community club setting’. At the end of each of the regional netball events all children taking part were presented with information on the Junior Netball Clubs around the Island and were encouraged to go along to the sessions. Marie Skillicorn, the newly appointed Netball Development Officer said: ‘Sincere thanks must go to the helpers from the Manx Netball Association who gave up their time to help with umpiring and officiating duties throughout all of this year’s primary school netball events. Without their support the events would not have been possible.’ If anybody would like to know more about Community Netball Clubs around the Island (both juniors and seniors) please contact Marie on: Tel:456634. Email: mnadevelopment@gmail.com Ends.