Sasha Corbin gives a training session to freshly kitted-out MK netball club
Panthers Netball Club celebrated their new sponsorship agreement with local plumbing and heating company Home Fuels with a coaching session from England international netball star Sasha Corbin.
The club, which has been established for more than 15 years and trains at Lord Grey School in Bletchley, has been able to buy new kits thanks to its new sponsor – and donated all its old kits to netball teams in Uganda.
And the players were treated to a festive surprise just before Christmas when Sasha, who has more than 50 England caps, came to MK to put them through their paces in a special training session.
Sarah Bernard, Chairperson for Panthers, said: “It was such an amazing experience for the squad to be trained by an England player. “We have supported England at every opportunity and the girls aspire to play like them.”
Panthers play in the Milton Keynes Indoor Netball League and have three teams – in the Championship, Division 1 and Division 2.
Currently, they have over 30 members with a mix of abilities and ages, ranging from 14 to 60 plus years.
Tommy Burrows, owner of Home Fuels, said: “It was a pleasure to sponsor Panthers as they are a great team committed to their sport. Netball has just started to get the recognition it deserves.”
Following the first ever Gold medal for England Netball in the Commonwealth Games in 2018, beating both Australia and New Zealand who have dominated the scene, netball has seen a surge in popularity in the UK.
Sarah added: “It’s a fantastic way to keep fit, build core strength, stamina and endurance with team effort and a great social life too.”
Panthers Netball Club train every Monday at Lord Grey School from 7.30pm-9pm and league matches are every Tuesday in Milton Keynes. If you are interested in joining Panthers, contact Sarah Bernard by emailing panthnetball@gmail.com