Winchester Netball (sponsored by MITIE Engineering Services Retail Limited) have stormed Division 3 of the Mid Hants Winter League, winning seventeen games out of eighteen over the season.

Promoted to Division 3 last season, Winchester had aimed to finish in mid-table this season but had never dreamt their hard work would pay such dividends.

With an increased training regime and restructure of the club itself, Winchester's new "play to win policy" certainly came up trumps. As Sarah Radburn, Winchester's Club Captain (plays GS) said, "As we had been promoted to division three, we decided to take a more professional approach to our netball.

"We have grown very quickly from eight or so ladies on a Back to Netball Scheme sponsored by the local sports council to a successful club with three teams all playing at different levels. Everyone has been extremely committed to our club and morale is always high. We hope we can keep up our winning streak over the next Winter season in Division 2".

Winchester Netball Club's three teams are Winchester MITIE, Winchester Denplan and Winchester Wilds. Sponsorship has been strong and all three teams have benefited from their respective sponsors through their success on court.

Ruth Ashton, Winchester MITIE's team captain (plays WA) said: "It has been a brilliant season for all three teams and the interest in our club has been unbelievable. We have decided to carry out trials for the MITIE team for the next Winter Season so that we can keep the momentum going. It's going to be tough in Division 2 but we're setting our sights high.

"Nobody predicted the success we would have in Division 3 and we'll try our hardest to do ourselves proud in Division 2."

If you are interested in trialling for a place in the Winchester MITIE team and have had experience of league netball at this level, please contact the club via the website www.winchesternetball.co.uk or email club@winchesternetball.co.uk.