WORCESTER Netball Club have launched an inclusive men’s and mixed team called the Worcester Royals.
The club have opened their doors to boys, men and non-female players to form a new all-gender mixed team.
Worcester Netball Club chair, Sam Rudd, and her son, Alfie, came up with the idea of launching the team after the latter earned selection for England Trailblazers under-23s.
Alfie said: “After being selected to play for England I wanted more avenues to play the sport I was falling in love with.
“Worcester gave me those opportunities, and I was invited to train with the women’s performance squad.
“All this time we were getting more serious about introducing men’s and mixed to Worcester Netball Club.
“We wanted to open doors to the sport for men and boys. We saw the opportunity as a well-established women’s club to share netball with everyone, not just women and girls.”
The club’s women’s team compete in national, regional and local leagues across the country and the West Midlands.
Worcester Reds compete in the National Premier League Division Three – the highest level of netball below the Netball Super League.
The Royals started their season with a mixed netball tournament at Loughborough Lightning in January.
And the team recently played their first league game away at Devon Dynamites in the England men’s and mixed National League West.
New Royals recruit, Josie Taylor said: “I love the community we have at Worcester Royals.
“The atmosphere is always positive, with high fives and encouragement a constant within our training sessions.
“Mixed netball is really just a brilliant way to bring together a huge mix of people.
“I think the reason it’s such a welcoming environment is because it brings people together from all areas of life.
“It makes the sport accessible to everyone and fosters teamwork, positivity and learning.”
The club are hosting open training sessions ti anyone interested in playing men’s and mixed netball.
The training sessions are held on Wednesday evenings at the University of Worcester’s St John’s Campus.
For more information, visit: www.worcesternetballclub.co.uk/emmna
