Netball: It's not always about winning at Winchester

In the winter league, Winchester have a play to win policy.

But at all other times they encourage full club involvement, rotate players and positions and give everyone a chance of league experience.

Winchester train at their local Riverside Leisure Centre on Tuesday evenings and welcome all players - complete beginners, ladies coming back to netball after not having played since school, improvers and advanced level players wishing to join an established team.

The club, started in 2001, has two teams. Winchester first team is sponsored by MITIE Engineering Services (Retail Ltd) and Winchester second team (sponsored by Denplan).

They enter most, if not all, Southampton League events (winter, spring and summer) as well as individual tournaments and events.

Most importantly, they pride themselves on their court attitude and at all times are polite and respectful to umpires and the opposition.

They also play with a strong sense of sportsmanship and are proud when opponents describe them as a nice team to play.

Today's game in the spring league against Chamberlayne Netball Club was no exception .

It started very evenly with few goals scored by either team.

Chamberlayne started strongly and let Winchester know they were in for a tough match.

A seemingly endless first quarter finally finished with Winchester leading 6-3. The break gave them the opportunity to talk tactics and ways of raising their game - and this they did in the second quarter, establishing a good 14-6 half-time lead.

Chamberlayne did not give up and were always going to make Winchester work for the victory.

But Winchester took every opportunity to convert their goals and kept up the pressure until the end to win 30-12.

The game was an excellent display of netball and both teams played with a good sense of sportsmanship and discipline, which made it an enjoyable match to watch.

Not only that, the colour purple is a lovely colour for a netball kit and my favourite!

LETS MEET THE TEAM:

Sarah Radburn - A founder member of WNC, club captain and goal shooter Sarah has played for the club since its inception in 2001. Initially wing defence, her shooting talent was unearthed when she was coming back from a serious calf injury while the previous GS was unavailable. Known as 'Radders', Sarah's style is known as tactical and (among her teammates) famously 'static!' She is also responsible for club training.

Ruth Ashton - Probably the most versatile player on the team, Ruth has played every position bar none - to great effect. Her ability and vast knowledge of the game makes her ideal as team captain. Her strengths lie in her speed, strong passing and amazing jumping/turning ability. She is also responsible for team selection, training, the bank account and on-court etiquette.

Jo Batey - The team vice captain was previously a basketball player and number one when it comes to playing goal attack. She incorporates skills learned from basketball into netball to great effect. One of few tall people who can jump, Jo is exceptional when it comes to receiving even the highest pass. An accurate shot with great on-court defending skills as well. As a professional sports psychologist ,Jo helps the team with their motivational and team-building skills. Known as 'Tickle' - due to her long reach.

Gill Willis - Umpiring secretary Gill is the regular wing attack - often punctuated by spells at centre. A great attacking player, her speciality is play around the shooting circle. Normally quiet and extremely reliable, she can get riled if pushed and has a competitive edge. Gill is a qualified umpire and her responsibilities include sourcing umpires for other games.

Rachel Nesbit - Team captain and results/statistics secretary, Rachel is another founder member. After a break from netball for the birth of her daughter, she has come back stronger and more effective. A fantastic all-round defender with a calm and diplomatic attitude, Rachel is also responsible for logging and analysing results and always on hand with opposition information prior to matches. A highly valued member of the club.

Liz Gibbens - Being the tallest member of WNC makes Liz the perfect choice as a goal defence or 'keeper. A regular team player, she recently returned from travelling the world (for six months) - an important boost to the team's defence as she seems able to intercept those big overhead passes to any goal shooter, no matter how tall. Always cheerful, always competitive, Liz's input is critical to WNC.

Jackie Shamrock - 'New kid on the block' Jackie has gone straight into the first team. Her main position is wing defence, although she also plays goal defence and 'keeper to great effect when required.

Fiona Bolton - Where would the club be without club secretary Fiona? She organises just about everything - clothes, league entry, AENA news. A real team player, her first position is wing defence but she has been known to shoot! A bit of a 'wolf in sheep's clothing', Fiona is quiet, diplomatic and extremely organised. On court she is an effective defender and can fight her own corner and come out the other side with a smile.

Stephanie Ralph - Steph's played everywhere - on the wings, goal attack, even defending in the circle. But once she played centre on the off chance one day, and there was no going back. Her strengths are her intercepting and strong sense of team play. She is competitive to the extreme and known for throwing herself in the direction of any ball which comes within ten feet. An invaluable link between attack and defence.

Lucy Hurcom - A relative newcomer, Lucy is key in the WNC defence. An extremely effective goal defence, she is highly valued in the circle and mid court - a serious force to be reckoned with. With good on-court organisational skills, Lucy takes charge of 'her' end of the court during play as well as providing less experienced players with specialist defending coaching and support during training. Known for her dedication to the club - and her headband!