Coming Full Circle
This season sees the Dudley Netball League return to the George Salter Academy, where we played some 40 years earlier as the Dudley & District Netball League. Although many things have changed over the years and the venue is no exception, new courts, new posts and floodlighting have been added.
When the league began, there was one division; this soon escalated to three divisions, playing on a home and away basis. A copy is attached and I wonder do any of you remember these teams, or were you a player?
Click here to see the 1973 league tables
As you can see from the tables, Grasshoppers were top of Division 1 and that’s where they stayed for a number of years. They also won a number of top awards. In 1986 they played in the National Finals tournament and came out as winners. The league was delighted and because of their success we had teams like Linden (B’ham), Bluebirds (Worcester), Parkside (Birmingham), Star (Shropshire) all applying to join our league.
Grasshopper’s juniors also had success in 1986/7 winning the Barclays Tournament, yet another top achievement. Grasshoppers are the longest serving club in the league and are still going strong under different management; they currently have three teams in the league.
Dudley Leisure has followed in their footsteps, being the league’s top team and currently at the top of Division 1. They are coached by Chris Groves who is a long serving, dedicated member of the league and has achieved so much in her coaching career.
Back in the 1970’s, England President Janet Wrighton played in our Division 1 and also in the 70’s, International Umpire Brenda Hayter officiated and played and today we have Bernie Young, Kim Lumley, Ian Fuller and Chris Malloy all actively umpiring.
Over the 40 years the league has played host to a number of England squad members and international officials and we are proud to have played a large part in their international careers and to continue offering exceptional, competitive netball.
This could not have happened without the dedication of committee; many of whom have served for a number of years, ensuring that the league remains true to its roots.
41 years – Joyce Smailes
joined at the inception of the league and served as Delegate/Vice-Chair/Chair and now an Honorary Member
37 years
Eileen Blocksidge – Secretary initially and now Treasurer
37 years
Chris Groves – Treasurer/Chairman/now Honorary Member
37 years
Rose Peakman – Delegate and now Match & Registration Secretary
37 years
Carol Finlan – Committee member and now Fundraising Officer
37 years
Janet Jones – served as Match & Registration Secretary during the winter League and now Divisional Delegate
35 years
Diane Parkes – Delegate/Vice-Chair/Chair for two terms in office and now Honorary Member
32 years
Kate Wilkinson – Committee member/Secretary and Honorary Member
The league currently has 8 divisions and is very proud that we can offer so many teams their standard of play to suit their club/team/needs. The league has very dedicated committee members who attend on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to officiate, thus allowing you all to come and play.
True grassroots netball, supporting “Back to Netball”, through to elite, …….. over 40 years and still going strong.
That is Dudley Netball League!
When the league began, there was one division; this soon escalated to three divisions, playing on a home and away basis. A copy is attached and I wonder do any of you remember these teams, or were you a player?
Click here to see the 1973 league tables
As you can see from the tables, Grasshoppers were top of Division 1 and that’s where they stayed for a number of years. They also won a number of top awards. In 1986 they played in the National Finals tournament and came out as winners. The league was delighted and because of their success we had teams like Linden (B’ham), Bluebirds (Worcester), Parkside (Birmingham), Star (Shropshire) all applying to join our league.
Grasshopper’s juniors also had success in 1986/7 winning the Barclays Tournament, yet another top achievement. Grasshoppers are the longest serving club in the league and are still going strong under different management; they currently have three teams in the league.
Dudley Leisure has followed in their footsteps, being the league’s top team and currently at the top of Division 1. They are coached by Chris Groves who is a long serving, dedicated member of the league and has achieved so much in her coaching career.
Back in the 1970’s, England President Janet Wrighton played in our Division 1 and also in the 70’s, International Umpire Brenda Hayter officiated and played and today we have Bernie Young, Kim Lumley, Ian Fuller and Chris Malloy all actively umpiring.
Over the 40 years the league has played host to a number of England squad members and international officials and we are proud to have played a large part in their international careers and to continue offering exceptional, competitive netball.
This could not have happened without the dedication of committee; many of whom have served for a number of years, ensuring that the league remains true to its roots.
41 years – Joyce Smailes
joined at the inception of the league and served as Delegate/Vice-Chair/Chair and now an Honorary Member
37 years
Eileen Blocksidge – Secretary initially and now Treasurer
37 years
Chris Groves – Treasurer/Chairman/now Honorary Member
37 years
Rose Peakman – Delegate and now Match & Registration Secretary
37 years
Carol Finlan – Committee member and now Fundraising Officer
37 years
Janet Jones – served as Match & Registration Secretary during the winter League and now Divisional Delegate
35 years
Diane Parkes – Delegate/Vice-Chair/Chair for two terms in office and now Honorary Member
32 years
Kate Wilkinson – Committee member/Secretary and Honorary Member
The league currently has 8 divisions and is very proud that we can offer so many teams their standard of play to suit their club/team/needs. The league has very dedicated committee members who attend on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to officiate, thus allowing you all to come and play.
True grassroots netball, supporting “Back to Netball”, through to elite, …….. over 40 years and still going strong.
That is Dudley Netball League!
