Torfaen netball group brings fun and friendship to the sport

Based in Torfaen, the group offers non-competitive sessions organised by the Allsortz Netball Club in response to a lack of recreational options in the area.

The sessions are held at Abersychan School every Monday evening and have attracted more than 100 sign-ups, with up to 28 women attending regularly.

Vicky Price, 48, from Trevethin, joined in January and said the group has had a life-changing impact.

She said: "It's made a big difference to my life.

"Before, I used to go to work and go home, but since I've been going to the sessions, I've lost weight, I've come off my anti-depressants and I've made new friends.

"I literally knew no one when I first started, but they made me feel so welcome."

Coach Catherine Duke said the idea was born out of her own experience of wanting to return to the sport without the pressure of competition.

Ms Duke said: "When I was ready to get back into netball, the only option at the time, in the local area, was to join a competitive team.

"But these can be difficult to join because spaces are often limited, they require trials and they can be a big commitment.

"We wanted to set up open sessions that women could join when they were able, helped them learn how to play the sport and were an opportunity to meet new people."

Since October, the group has seen 105 women register on its booking system and more than 600 individual bookings.

The club received funding from the council, which helped purchase equipment, train volunteers, and secure use of the refurbished facilities at Abersychan School.

Ms Duke also delivers netball sessions through the If You Go I Go programme.

Megan Parker, who runs If You Go I Go, said: "The Torfaen Deal is helping to grow community exercise because it's enabling for local people like Catherine to become health champions and provide more opportunities for women to be active."