NORTHWICH Sapphires Netball Club are celebrating their 20th anniversary.
From humble beginnings, the club have gone from strength to strength.
“I am immensely proud of what has been achieved over the last 20 years,” said club chair, Lydia Patterson.
“This has been down to the hard work and dedication of many people who have given their time to develop the club to what it is today.
“We look forward to seeing how the club continues to grow and develop in the future.”
Sapphires were formed when two women’s teams merged to form a properly constituted club and to start providing netball coaching for young girls whom, until that point, had nowhere in Northwich outside of school hours to develop their skills.
Senior players took on club committee roles and assisted with the junior sessions.
A lot of hard work was put in by these pioneers to identify venues, deliver coaching sessions, apply for grants, manage finances, liaise with local schools, and identify competitive opportunities.
The club rapidly expanded and within a year had 70 junior members.
Player membership is currently 200 junior and senior players, and there are waiting lists for most age groups.
In 2005 the club had two qualified umpires and three qualified coaches. Today, there is a team of 25 coaches and a large pool of umpires who have been supported by the club to gain their qualifications.
During the past 20 years, Sapphires have been a leader in setting up the Cheshire Junior Netball League, establishing a local Mixed Netball League, running a ‘Bee Netball’ league for younger players, and providing recreational ‘Nice’n’Easy’ sessions.
The club have been a long-time fundraiser for The Stroke Association and Breakthrough T1D UK charities, and also supported causes such as Tiny Steps and collected gifts for The Women’s Refuge.
Sapphires have always been inclusive and welcomed players whatever their ability.
They are proud of those players who have been selected to represent Cheshire, the region, and also England and Wales, but considered just as important within is that the club have set young people on the path of loving netball, developing a life-long involvement in the game, and learning crucial life skills.
A number of individuals are still with the club after 20 years, and players who were junior members in the early days are now coaching and umpiring for the club.
One coach said: “When I first joined Northwich Sapphires as a junior, I was very shy and lacked in confidence.
“Throughout my years at the club, my confidence grew as well as my netball skills, but I also learnt the valuable lessons of how sport can build long-lasting friendships.
“It is hard to imagine my life without Northwich Sapphires in it.
“This club has developed me on and off the netball court, given me lifelong friendships, and has always been there to support me through the good and the bad.
“I know that without netball I would have struggled to overcome things I have done in my life.
“Without all the opportunities and nurturing I have had over the years from many of the coaches, I would not be half the person I am today, which I feel indebted to the club for.”
Sapphires will be celebrating and welcoming players, parents and volunteers – current and past – to mark this milestone when they stage a ‘Sapphires Fest’ at Delamere Events on Saturday when there will be eating, drinking, dancing and fun.
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