YOUNG netballers have returned to playing in a league inspired by the historic gold medal winning performance of the English Roses at the Commonwealth Games.

The league, started in 2011 and based at St Leonard’s School in Durham, has grown in strength thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm from clubs across the North-East and now has more than 400 children and young people playing each week.

Volunteer League Secretary, Sarah Price said: “It’s great to see so many young people enjoying netball. The league is genuinely inclusive, we have boys playing in the lower age groups, children of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome to play and many have gone on to be selected into the England Netball performance pathway. What brings them together is their love of the game.”

The league also provides opportunities for those young and older to develop their skills as coaches and to train as umpires. Many of the girls playing in the league go on to give something back to their clubs. The league runs every Saturday until early July.

Parent and supporter, Teresa Ashforth said: “The players, coaches, volunteers and parents have obviously been buoyed up by the Roses’ win on the Gold Coast, and not only was there some great netball on display but there was a real sense that this is a sport on the rise.”

See www.durhampalatinatesnetball.co.uk for more information.