Each week we bring you a good news story from across the South West as part of our wedNEWSday articles.

February half term 2023 has definitely been our most successful week of Netball Youth Camps, with more camps filling to capacity and ever expanding waiting lists bulging each county delivered jam packed days to budding netballers. Every participant went home with a goody bag, donated by Netball South West, containing a pair of Rainbow Laces from Stonewall, a pen, nail file (netball essential!) and a sticker.

Somerset – Kings College, Taunton, 13/02/2023

It was a fun packed day, kicked off with some icebreaker games. An opportunity for all 21 participants to get to know each other and feel comfortable. The group worked hard developing new and existing skills with a particular focus on defending and contesting for ball.

The afternoon was spent playing matches, putting into practice what they had learnt that day and impressing all the coaches with some fantastic netball.

Prizes were given out to those who had particularly engaged and impressed throughout the day.

Coaches Player: Sophie

Most Improved: Imogen & Hebe

Devon – Cranbrook Education Campus, Exeter, 14/02/2023

On Valentines Day young netballers shared the love of netball at the Netball Youth Camp in Cranbrook near Exeter. 30 girls attended and had a fun filled day with expert attack and defence skills sessions, fun games and a mini tournament. Players of the day were Polly and Imogen, top trainers were Jenny and Belle.

Avon – SBL Sports Centre, Bristol, 14/02/2023

27 young netballers at Bristol's February half term camp. So much energy and enthusiasm! The day was full of fun games, balloons, attacking and defence skills, Valentine's/netball themed arts and crafts, umpiring and lots of match play. There was a buzz of excitement right from the beginning of the day which meant lots of fun and giggles.

Cornwall – Callywith College, Bodmin, 15/02/2023

You might think that it's hard to stand out at a sold-out NYC, but the energy, enthusiasm and talent from the girls who attended Callywith College, Bodmin, in half term meant that every single participant made their mark! We started with some fun warm-up games and challenges and it quickly felt like all the girls made friends, before we broke into some skills sessions. The girls put their all into it, meaning they were ready for food and a sit-down when it was time for lunch! The afternoon was full of game play, and a chance to put their new skills into practice. It was lovely to watch them all encouraging each other and cheering their teammates on, and when the time came to hand out awards, it was a very tough choice!

"It was awesome!"

"I really enjoyed the day"

"I love netball even more now!"

Players of the day went to Amelie, Ava, Emly and Olive, and each participant received a goodie bag. Thanks so much and well done to such a great group!

Wiltshire – Dorcan Recreation Complex, Swindon, 15/02/2023

We had an amazing turnout of 27 girls at our Swindon 11-14 yr old camp this half term and for lots of them it was their first time at one of our camps.  With some many girls there, we kick started the day with lots of fun game warm ups to keep them all on their toes which gave us all a giggle!  We used some balloons for our attacking session before moving onto our fun defensive session.  Lunchtime saw a chance for everyone to sit down and refuel before starting out Valentine’s Day theme craft activity – we definitely had some budding artists in this group.

Afternoon saw a fun warm up game of ‘You can cross my river if…’ which again filled the sports hall with giggles, before moving onto everyone’s favourite activity….match play!

We were so fortunate to have such a lovely group of hard working girls and it was great to see those who were shy come out of their shell.  All players went home with a certificate and goody bag.

A particular well done to Alice, Elle and Izzy who were our players of the day.

Roll on our Easter camp!

Dorset – Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, 16/02/2023

Another full Netball Youth Camp with girls aged 11-15 years and a mixture of netball experience from different clubs across Dorset. With 15 of the 30 girls returning after attending the October 22 NYC, the pressure was on to deliver another fun and challenging day. Abi, Poppy and Sarah led the camp which included a mix of netball skills and activities as well as match play. Following feedback from the October camp, more mini games were included into the skill sessions and the match play time was extended. We like to get creative with our skill sessions and the girls really enjoyed the skipping netball activity! Look out for our Easter camp dates.

Gloucestershire – Rednock Sports Centre, Dursley, 20/02/2023

The NYC in Gloucestershire fell the day before Shrove Tuesday this year so with pancakes well and truly on the brain, the post lunch activity was to design a netball based on all things pancakes! The girls were quick to get out their felt tips and gel pens and the designs were flippin’ (pun intended!) great! Lexi was awarded the winner with her lemon and sugar AND Nutella themed pancake ball design – yum!

More camps in the South West will be running later this coming Easter so keep an eye on the website for more information, or get your name on a distribution list with your local NDO. We hope to see you there!

If you have a good news story that you would like to share please send your story and a picture to the South West Regional Officer (southwest@englandnetball.co.uk).