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

At the beginning of March 2022 a new WI Walking Netball group started in Portishead near Bristol. It was all brought about by the organisation and enthusiasm of Claire Short who reached out to England Netball to get the group up and running.

Seventeen players came along to the first session and since then the group has been welcoming new players and they regularly have a full court of netballers each week. The energy and excitement when everyone arrives adds to a great atmosphere and a sense of belonging.

Just 3 short months after the group started, some of the players took part in the Tri-Counties Walking Netball festival which took place in Bristol. After that they were hooked and have been taking part in tournaments across the South West.

During the summer the group started to build friendships with other walking netball groups. At one session they were joined by Carla Smith from Chippenham who was the Walking Netball WI Ambassador for the area. It is wonderful to see how walking netball brings people together to play a sport that has brought so much happiness and enjoyment to people across the country.

 “The relaxed friendly atmosphere created by Kerry as she brought the group along set the tone for the future. The friendship that has developed between all the ladies has far exceeded any expectations that I had when I started out and the bonus is that we are actually improving as netball players too!”. Claire Short – Posset Netters

Most recently, 3 members of the group, Sara, Catherine and Cathy, undertook their Walking Netball Host training and are now qualified to run the sessions themselves.

 “I would just add how much fun we have, and how friendships have already been made and the group has grown through word of mouth. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, our sessions are always fun, and very often followed by coffee together for those who can stay on. I certainly look forward to my Tuesdays, where possible, arranging other things around a Tuesday so that I don’t miss netball! Thank you, Claire and Kerry, for getting us going!”. Sarah – newly qualified Walking Netball Host

In just 9 months the group have achieved so much! Not forgetting that they designed a logo for their group, bought t-shirts and decided on the name, Posset Netters for their club. An amazing achievement of uniting women in sport and having fun along the way. May they have a wonderful time celebrating at their first Christmas social!

Want to start Walking Netball? Then click here to find out more.

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 Coordinator (southwest@englandnetball.co.uk).