Stanley Storm Netball Club is aiming to ‘net’ support from companies across the region, with building and roofing specialists, Hodgson Sayers, one of the first to offer its support.
Established in 2013, the club was formed as part of the England netball health initiative, Back To Netball and when the programme ended the team, and its spirited members, had grown so much in numbers a committee was formed to ensure it continued.
Stanley Storm has three teams Thunder, Lightning and Tornadoes and Hodgson Sayers, based at nearby Tanfield Lea, has agreed to fund all coaching sessions for a full three month period.
Justine Wilson, from Burnopfield and team captain of Lightning, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to our neighbours, Hodgson Sayers, who kindly stepped in when we asked for assistance for funding.
“Since 2013 we have created three teams based on the enthusiasm and talent of people living within the Stanley area. Thunder, Lightning and more recently our third team, Tornadoes, which has been formed due to increasing numbers.
“Formed by a group of women who enjoyed the social aspect of the sport as well as keeping fit and healthy, the club is doing very well. So much so, that Thunder won the Durham League last year and the Tyne and Wear League this year, which shows the commitment and talent that we have unearthed.
“We train on Monday nights at 7pm at the Louisa Centre, Stanley, and have in excess of 30 members. We work hard to provide the team with kit and equipment so that we can involve and encourage as many individuals from the local area and not allow a lack of funds to deter newcomers from joining.
“We also raise money for charity through the sport, recently working with Henry Dancer Days, supporting children with cancer and we held a netball tournament for teams across the region and raised over £700 for the charity.
“We have begun facilitating coaching and umpiring courses providing qualifications and skills to a number of the team. With the help of companies like Hodgson Sayers we are able to concentrate our efforts on membership recruitment, coaching and new kits.”
David Wakenshaw, contracts manager and head of the social values committee at Hodgson Sayers, said: “We were very eager to help the team when they approached us as they are a fantastic example of how sport can engage and enrich the lives of people living locally not just physically but mentally and socially.
“To help the club we have agreed to fund coaching sessions for a three month period. We hope that this will help to alleviate any current financial pressure whilst allowing the team to concentrate on training programmes to attract more players from the community to join.
“We wish the teams the best of luck and hope that like-minded companies will help to support the girls as they continue to go from strength-to-strength.”
Hodgson Sayers operates in the construction sector offering specialist skills in roofing, building works, fencing and metalwork fabrication.
2015 was an outstanding year for the company having won three national awards. The first being the SME award at the Constructing Excellence Awards in London. This was followed by UK Business of the Year and the People Development Award at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards.
Social value is at the heart of the business and, as such, it has formed a committee which meets each month to canvas opinion, explore potential initiatives and plan events in conjunction with stakeholders.