Published: 16 December, 2011
by CATHERINE ETOE

MORE than 50 sharp-shooting netballers came together at the Sobell Centre in Holloway on Monday to celebrate Islington’s first Back to Netball festival.

Netball has been a big hitter this year, as more than 2,400 women and girls have taken up the sport nationwide, and England overcame Australia and New Zealand to take the World Netball Series crown.

The sport of champions has proved to be a hit in Islington too, with six teams of women, including players from City and Islington College, spending the past 10 weeks honing their skills with Islington netball development community coach Elaine Smith.

On Monday, participants got to showcase their talents in front of England netballer Sasha Corbin and Islington councillor Catherine West.

The evening of matches, which were eventually won by PCT, kicked off a two-year calendar of events in the borough which will include lunchtime netball at Highbury Fields and early and evening Back to Netball sessions at the Sobell Centre.

Coach Smith says there are also plans for other local venues. She added: “I am so pleased that our Back to Netball sessions have been such a success.”

For more information about sessions in 2012, contact Elaine on 07872 407219.

• Pictured: Winners PCT with Cllr Catherine West (centre), Sasha Corbin and Elaine Smith (right)