An ambitious programme to promote and expand interest in netball in the Isle of Man gets underway with the start of the new season (Monday 9 September).

For the first time, the Manx Netball Association has published proposals to attract a sponsor or sponsors to back a series of schemes aimed at getting more people playing the sport and training as coaches.

The MNA's to re launch its popular Back to Netball scheme with a winter series of sessions for women aged 16 and over due to start at the new St Ninian's Lower School sports facility on 12 September.

The association's sponsorship proposal includes support for a primary schools' netball festival for Years 5 and 6, development of the national Island squad, and sending coaches, umpires and officials for training to gain recognised qualifications.

Netball is the most widely-played game by women and girls in the world! The MNA has 15 clubs, 27 teams and has seen the number of senior affiliated members increase by 11 per cent and juniors by a massive 50 per cent, over three years.

Netball Development Officer for the Isle of Man Marie Skillicorn told Manx Radio financial backing is now the only harness to their aspirations to take netball forward in the island:

To contact Marie e mail: mnadevelopment@gmail.com or via the National Sports Centre.

More information at netball.im