Social net(ball) working

By Simon Hayes on October 30, 2007 12:00 AM

GOAL ATTACK or wing defence? The choice is yours if you join one of Canary Wharf's fastest growing sports.
Believe it or not, netball is one of the area's most popular sports with around 400 people in the area regularly taking part in a league set up by an Isle of Dogs resident.
Kelly West, who lives in Island Gardens, came up with the idea of a social netball league at Langdon Park School, near All Saints DLR station, because she was fed up with travelling to Essex to play the game.

She said: "We started the league in 2002 because there was nowhere round here to play. I wanted it to be local so people could make new friends and stay in touch easily.
"We had 80 players to start with and now we have around 400 playing at Langdon Park alone, with over 3,000 playing all over London.
"The school facilities are excellent which means we can operate all year round, which is great for us and our players who like to play through the winter as well as the summer.
"We've had teams from the likes of Barclays Capital and Reuters playing and even one from the Financial Services Authority.
"It's something that appeals to netball enthusiasts from across Canary Wharf and because we provide all the bibs and umpires all people need to do is turn up to play."
Kelly, 31, stressed the competition is secondary to the social side of the sport, with the emphasis on meeting new people and making friends.
She said: "We do have an end of season party where we present trophies but the main thing it's all about is having fun while getting a bit of exercise. And don't worry if you are new to the game, we even have a beginners league."
With the netball world cup starting in New Zealand on November 10 the time has never been better for budding players to try out the game.
England's most famous player is Tracey Neville, sister of footballers Gary and Phil. Whether the England stars have ever played is unknown but there is room for men to have a go.
"It's not just a sport for girls," said Kelly. "We have a mixed league which has its own benefits. Since we started we've had four couples who have got together through the game so it's an opportunity to meet people outside of the working environment."
The 10-week season consists of sessions every week night, and time slots are designed to fit around Wharfers' working lives.
The current season ends in late November but registrations for the next one, which starts in February, are welcome.
For more information log on to www.socialsports.co.uk or call Kelly or Deana on 020 8534 8444.
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