SABINA NETBALL NETS ITS 30TH!

Sabina Netball Club, based in Lewisham, has come of age, celebrating its thirtieth competitive year! Following the success of its parent club, Sabina Cricket Club, in 1982, the Wander family established the new community sports organisation. Marking their Pearl Anniversary this year, the Netball Club hosted a “snazzy” ‘black-tie’ Ball and Awards Ceremony at the Power League, Catford. In recognition and in celebration of the Club’s community work, social and sporting achievements, the event enabled the reunion of the the club’s players and supporters of past and present.

At this momentous juncture, founding member and Chairman, Marlene Wander remarks, “We are taking this opportunity to honour our current members’ achievements and meet up with past members who have helped us to get where we are now.” Along with several competition successes, the club has indeed had much to celebrate over the past year. Sabina Netball Club was voted ‘Lewisham Club of the Year’ for 2011, and has received the England Netball’s ‘Clubmark Silver Caps Award’ and is now working towards achieving gold. As well as attaining Lewisham’s ‘Make the Difference Award for Sport and Culture’ in 2011, this year Marlene was voted runner-up as the borough’s ‘Coach of the Year’. As senior team coach, Ms Wander was also shortlisted for the ‘Greater London Volunteering Award’ for her contribution to sport and tireless voluntary work.

Weekly netball practise sessions for players aged 8 years to adult, are held at Prendergast-Hilly Fields College, Brockley, and league matches are played fortnightly at Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Mottingham. As well as coaching and playing in South East London and North West Kent league fixtures, club members also participate in a range of social events, personal development, fundraising and charitable activities such as unwanted clothes sales, bi-annual ‘bag packing’ in a large supermarket chain, European tournaments and trips and quiz evenings, to mention a few. Players are also actively encouraged to undertake professional sporting and first aid qualifications, and may also nominate peers for the ‘Jack Petchey Award’.

 After three decades then, what does the future hold for the club? The Sabina Netball Club’s management is clearly generational, and its commitment to investing in its younger members. This can be demonstrated by the enthusiasm of Marlene’s granddaughter, Mya who is 12, is well on her way to becoming a team coach and leader, “All members are encouraged to participate and enjoy both the social and competitive aspects of the club. New members are always welcome!”

We wish Sabina Netball Club a very happy 30th birthday! For more information, please visit the website: http://www.sabinanetball,clubbuzz.co.uk.