The new Under 10s team at their training session on a Wednesday evening
A long running Netball club located in the Aber Valley has responded to demand from the community and set up two new junior teams with help from Sport Wales and Sport Caerphilly.
Aber Valley Ladies Netball club has been running for many years from Abertridwr YMCA, with the senior team currently playing in the A470 league. They are the only netball club and women’s only sport club running within the Aber Valley area.
The club identified that there was a high demand to increase the number of senior teams and set up a junior section so they applied for a Community Chest Grant from Sport Wales, through Sport Caerphilly.
After being awarded £1,013, the club started up an Under 10s and an Under 11s team with 15 and 19 girls respectively. The senior squad has also grown from 12 to 20 members, meaning they have more teams playing in the A470 league.
The club has also increased the number of coaches since training sessions have increased from one to three per week and have been able to provide more equipment.
Pat Evans, Head Coach at the club, commented, “I started playing Netball at the YMCA in 1962 and started coaching in 1967 and have been there ever since. It was wonderful to be able to start junior Netball up again as I was able to purchase the much needed equipment and the girls thoroughly enjoy it.”
Cllr Dave Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services at Caerphilly County Borough Council, added, “This is a fantastic example of how our Sport and Leisure Team are working alongside community clubs to expand the sporting opportunities offered to residents of the county borough. Welsh Netball is thriving at the moment and clubs like Aber Valley are giving young girls the chance to get involved with sport in a comfortable and safe environment where there has previously been little, or no, provision.”
All training sessions for Aber Valley Netball Club are at Abertridwr YMCA. Call Pat Evans on
The Community Chest Grant is funded by Sport Wales and can be applied for through Sport Caerphilly. Applications are welcome from Sport Clubs who wish to tackle inequality in sport and provide opportunities for more people to get more active, more often. They must have a bank or building society in the name of the club. The total grant available is £1500 and applications are considered by an objective panel 5 times per year. To apply or find out more contact Tony Wallis by emailing [email protected] or visit your.caerphilly.gov.uk/sportcaerphilly/community-sport/funding.
