As part of its strategy to forge closer partnerships with local schools in Sussex, Burgess Hill Girls Prep School hosted a fun under ten netball festival on 31st January. There were twelve teams in total from St Lawrence Church of England Primary School, Birchwood Grove County Primary School, Ditchling Church of England Primary School, The Windmills Junior School, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, Albourne Primary School, and Burgess Hill Girls Prep. The festival was run according to the principals of Bee Netball, England Netball’s fun and nurturing programme for children at the beginning of their team sport journey. Each team had five players all rotating positions to enable exposure to different skills.
There were three pools for games between teams and whilst not competing, players had the chance to practise their skills in the “fun zone,” organised and lead by Year 6 pupil sports leaders at Burgess Hill Girls Prep school.
Burgess Hill Girls also provided medals for the most improved player in each team, Bee themed prizes for fun zone awards and certificates for all players. Burgess Hill Girls mascot, Queen Bee, put in a special appearance to handout all the prizes and certificates.
Olivia, who won the most improved player for St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, had a lovely time,
“We have had a great day; it is so much fun here! The fun zone was my favourite bit, there were so many activities to choose from.”
Her teacher Ms Roberts agreed,
“I really loved the way it was competitive yet still really friendly and fun. It was a really nice atmosphere to practise netball, great for the community, and we hope we can come back next year!”
Thanks to our Year 12 Madison for onsite reporting for this story.