Charities win at Netball Festival
Linlithgow Flyers Netball Club held a ‘Festival of Netball’ last Saturday with the aim of supporting two local charities. Nine teams were involved in the day – Linlithgow Flyers (Pink, Blue and Purple,),Wee County Warriors, Westerinch, Braes Blazers, Winchburgh Warriors, West Lothian Netters and, representing the Edinburgh (Queensferry) side of things, Ferry Flyers.
The tournament was organised in morning and afternoon sessions, with each team playing every other team in seven minute games, under conventional netball rules.
And what was it like? Forget all you ‘remember’ about school netball. Some teams were, naturally, better than others, but overall, it was played at a fast pace, with more than a little skill on display. No, it wasn’t up to ‘International’ standard, but what sport is these days (Watch a top Scottish Premiership rugby match, then get along, within a very short time span, to watch Edinburgh or Glasgow. Ask yourself then – taking nothing away from amateur rugby – if it’s the same sport you’re watching! Night and day, it is….).
What was good to see, was so many women – of all ages and levels of fitness – out, together, confounding perception on a Saturday (or any other day) participating in, and enjoying, sport without the pressure of NEEDING TO WIN! At any cost! But, of course, that should not to be confused with WANTING TO WIN. It’s different…..
However, the day, ultimately, wasn’t about the netball, but was about supporting the two local charities – The Food Bank- who help local people in need – and Home-start West Lothian – who offer help and support to families with young children.
In the run up to the event, the Flyers had not only collected almost a whole MPV’s worth of food items for The Food Bank, but had persuaded people to stick their hands in their pockets, so were able to present Home-start West Lothian with a cheque for £450.
The teams didn’t, of course, go away entirely empty handed as there were prizes for the best player/players from each team and the overall highest goal-scoring team. ‘Many people’ won players’ awards – a small bottle of Presecco – but the team prize went to Linlithgow Flyers Pink and they came away with a medal each – possibly edible – and some boxes of really, really fancy cup cakes!
