Wellingborough Netball League celebrates 50th anniversary
The first match was played in September 1972
Wellingborough Netball League turns 50 this year with the organisation helping thousands of women during that time to compete, keep active and socialise.
To mark the golden anniversary players from across the decades will gather for their 50th celebrations on June 10 for a glitzy anniversary get-together.
Run as a non-profit league, current players have to travel to Moulton for games after they were asked to vacate Weavers Sports Centre, their original base.
The league began as a result of the building of the new facility, with founder Pat Hyde seizing the opportunity.
She said: “We used to play netball at the Co-operative in Wellingborough near the Dog and Duck. When we heard that Weavers Sport Centre was going to be built we went to the first meeting.”
They approached the council to see if they could play one day a week at the centre to allow them to continue to play when the summer ended.
Pat said: "We used to play from May to August and the teams were mainly made up of people who worked in the local shops.
"When we heard about the Weavers Sports Centre, myself, Carol and Dick Abrahams approached the council about being allowed to play there so we could continue playing in the winter."
They were granted a Thursday night and invited the teams from the big factories to join.
Starting with ten teams their waiting list grew so long they were given another day, doubling the number of teams.
Marion Neale was one of the founder players. She started playing when she was 12 and still follows the game.
She said: "I've had such a brilliant time over the years and made lots of very good friends.”
Highlights have included trips to international games including the Commonwealth Games.
Now based at Benham Sports Centre in Northampton, 11 teams compete made up of women from across the county and the league promotes inclusivity.
Suzanne Coleman, league chairman, said: “I started playing when I was 14, I’m nearly 60 now. It’s been amazing. We have mums playing with daughters. We’ve seen each other’s children grow up. I only stopped playing twice when I had my children but I was back on court after six weeks. Netball is in my blood.”