Swan Netball Club aiming for promotion after play-off run

But they exceeded all expectations as they won the South regional league and earned qualification to the Premier League play-offs in Sheffield at the end of April.

In the world of netball, there is the local league, county league, regional league, and then the Premier League.

The Eastleigh-based club won their group phase in the play-offs before ultimately being beaten by Leyton at the final hurdle.

Chairwomen Jenny Fisher believes their efforts this season have helped put the club "on the map."

She said: "I'm beyond proud. Our aim for this season was to survive in Division One and then find our feet.

"We didn't expect them to win the whole region and therefore go to play-offs, so we at the club were beyond proud of that team and their achievements.

"Winning the pool on the first day and a half was already exceptional but then unfortunately we lost to an existing Premier League team by 10 goals.

"The team had a wonderful experience and we will now hopefully get back into the play-offs next season. We are aiming to go for that Premier League spot even more.

"We were quite large in our region, but on the national front, it has certainly put us on the map."

As they look forward to next season, the club has already made a move to help the senior side take the next step.

Yasmin Brookes, who is an ex-England and Super League captain of Surrey Storm, has joined as a coach. 

Fisher added: "The club as a whole is just becoming more established.

"We just wish to encourage talented players to come and join us, because we start at under-nines and go all the way through to seniors.

"It's really through our juniors where we help nurture and grow them that we then produce such great seniors. It's a lovely swanny family, we call it."

The club currently has a total of 200 players across all age groups and one of the sides, the under-19s, will take part in their regional play-offs on May 19 at Chichester University.