What better day to be posting our impact statement than on International Women’s Day! Our club has been going from strength to strength, from our first matches back in November, to first wins in December and January and lots more wins inbetween for both teams…. The Under 18’s even have a great chance of making the semi finals!! Our membership numbers are growing, and our expertise are expanding, having sent members on Netball Europe foundation coaching course and a beginners Umpire course.Many thanks to Changex for the sponsorship, we are currently in the process of designing our team kits and this funding will go a long way in helping us with this.
This weekend past saw a great weekend, as our two teams the Boyne Battlers and the Boyne Valley Vixens took each other on in the league for the first time! Coach Anne Marie said ‘When the club started back in September I never could have imagined we'd have so many women and girls involved or that we'd be playing games of such a high calibre! And there is still so much more to come...’ #ProudMoment #LoveThisClub #WomenInSport #GirlsInSport #NetballFamily
Some Testimonials from club members…..
Niamh: Since joining the new netball team Boyne Battlers, I feel like I’ve found myself again. When I was in school I was always into sports and played well and really enjoyed it. And since leaving school getting married and having a family of my own, I was put to the end of the list of priorities. But now I’ve found this time for me, I’ve been able to find my love of exercise, sports and team playing again. The group of women that meet up every Monday night are truly a lovely bunch, we always manage to have a giggle, learn something new and get fitter at the same time. Since competing now in netball, it is honestly the best 1-2hours of my week. I sooo look forward to the matches and the achievements we make each time, and seeing the team progress every week is amazing. The best thing I’ve done for myself in the past couple of years is sign up for netball and I’d highly recommend anyone to do the same… please god we’ll have a few more years left in us.. we might win a game by then…!
Siobhan: Joining the club in September was a big step personally for me. Firstly, it got me back playing a sport I loved in school, which was a very long time ago, and which I thought I'd never play again. Secondly I got to meet new people and the club has such a lovely bunch of ladies. With everyone in the same boat of working and looking after family, our time is so enjoyable when we get together. I can honestly say I truly look forward to training and getting back to something I love to do. We have come on so much as a team in the few months we are together and no doubt we will get stronger in time, the support everyone has for each other is amazing. Onwards and upwards for the Battlers!!!!!
Rachel: Joining boyne netball club was a huge highlight of 2021 for me. I hadn’t played netball in over 15 years but the first night at training Anne-Marie and the other women just made it feel like I hadn’t stopped. I never expected to meet such an encouraging and inspiring group of women who love the game as much as I do and are all so motivated to make the team grow. It wouldn’t have been possible to even form the team if it wasn’t for Anne-Marie’s encouragement and belief that a group of normal women like us could do it and compete in a league. Being in the team has given me confidence in my ability and ambition to do Anne-Marie and the club proud.
Vickie: Joining Boyne Netball Club is hands down one of the best things I have ever done. To find a sport that I can play at my age, that I can enjoy without feeling left behind makes me feel good about myself. Confidence can be lost over the years when you are raising your kids and this is a great opportunity to gain it back. The camaraderie amongst the girls is brilliant and I never thought I would be making new friends. Our coach, Anne-Marie has the most amazing patience with all of us and has taught us to enjoy the game and be proud of what we achieve regardless of scoresheets. It’s a good thing to be a part of.
Amy: I had always played netball growing up through school, and gave up when I started university due to work commitments. When I moved to Ireland I looked to join a local team, but there was none around and a lot of people I spoke to hadn't even heard of netball. Fast forward 10 years, I was really struggling with post-partum anxiety, having had a new baby in lockdown, no family support and just feeling very isolated. After talking to a counsellor she recommended trying to find something for me. I really wanted it to be exercise related and so I contacted the mammies in Meath FB page, they told me about a netball team starting up in Drogheda. So I signed up to the Meath LSP 6 week starter course. From the first training session it just felt amazing to be back playing netball……