Bolsover District Netball Academy (BDNA)

Bolsover District Netball Academy (BDNA) was launched in November 2013 to encourage secondary school aged girls to get involved in Netball. A partnership was formed between Bolsover Village Games, Bolsover District Council and Clowne Netball Club to develop the Academy.

Clowne Netball Club had previously launched a session for 11-16 year old girls with little success and due to low numbers the session folded, therefore this time a completely new approach was needed. Now in a new facility at Clowne Sports Centre the Netball Club allocated time to run this session between the U11's and Back 2 Netball session.

The first step was to design a brand that would appeal to the target audience, by looking at products that they would use and relate to. We then looked at a package of goodies/incentives that not only would appeal to the girls but also their parents in making the Academy good value for money. The incentive package consisted of; 5 weeks of quality coaching, a leadership qualification, a branded t-shirt, wrist sweatband, whistle and sports vouchers all for a total of £10.

Rather than promoting an open invitation we asked each of the 5 local secondary schools to provide a list of names for those who may be interested in Netball and then sent out personal invites to these girls.

30 girls attended Bolsover District Netball Academy but now the five weeks have ended, Christmas has been and gone and the session has relaunched. It is now open to any one to come along, now that there is a solid foundation to build on it allows Clowne Netball Club to attract new participants into a thriving session rather than build from nothing.

This is successful pilot of the 'Academy' structure has led to the expansion of the brand into other sports.

By creating this session Clowne Netball Club now provides all girls above the age of 6 and ladies the opportunity to give  netball a go in a fun and friendly environment. 

For more information contact Bolsover Village Games 

laura@villagegames.org.uk / 01246 242369

Rounders ~ Netball Multi Sport Tournament

The Rounders & Netball Top Team Tournament, was supported by Clowne Netball Club and ran at a wider community event organised by Bolsover District Council to promote the netball and rounders opportunities across Bolsover District. We had a range of people, including men and women who were returning to sport as well as teenagers representing the upcoming talent in the area, all playing together.

Everybody left a winner with awards for first place winners as well as Best Team Name, Fair Play and Most Enthusiastic Team.

Bev Birch, captain of Chesterfield's 'Top Cats' team who were first place winners, said:  "It was really well organised with alternate fixtures dependant on weather.  The umpires were fair and explained everything really well and the organisers were friendly with all teams which made it fun.  Overall it was a fantastic tournament."

Shona MacDiarmid, Captain of Newbold 'The GTs' who won our Most Enthusiastic Team award said:  "It was a great day and a fantastic event.  It was managed brilliantly with loads of things to do, see and try and I really enjoyed the day."

Winners of the Best Team Name award were Clowne's 'God Help Us'.  Captain Kerry Hauge said:  "It was a well organised family orientated fun day.  I'm already looking forward to the next one!"

Workplace Activities

Bolsover District Council employees started a Top Team multi-sports session and they love it! 

Running different sports each week after work, a whole mix of ladies and gents come and get involved in Rounders, Volleyball, Cricket, Netball, Dodgeball and the occasional Old School Sports Day. It’s a great way to getting active and socialising with colleagues in the workplace!

Here's what people think....

“At one point I was laughing so hard I had to sit down!” Teresa Oliver

 “… helping to de-stress, build team work, exercise and most importantly have a laugh with one another! “ Jim Wilmot

“…really inclusive so you get a varied bunch of people of all levels playing together and having fun.” Gregg Burnell

Check out more pictures here!

Bounce Back Trampolining

Starting off as a Sportivate Bounce Back Trampolining session it soon escalated and a club is being formed, with support from the Club Developers Program, to enable them to fundraise for new equipment.

Please note this poster is not an advertisement and some information may be out of date.

For up to date information on this session please contact Laura@villagegames.org.uk or call Shirebrook Leisure Centre on 01623 748313

At first we had a juniors and adults session and now it is beginners and intermediates running at Shirebrook Leisure Centre. It has been a great opportunity for people to try out a completely new activity and also for people to come back to something they love, an opportunity doesn't come around very often. 

After setting the session up Laura at Bolsover District Village Games couldn't resist giving it a go, 

"It was one of those things that looks like fun but not being the tiniest bit flexible or gymnastic I wasn't sure how I would get on. But as soon as I was bouncing I had a whale of a time, I used muscles I never knew I had and got toned up in weeks which is quite a result for me!".

  At the other end of the scale there were ladies that had done it before and stopped as a teenager, the skills came back to them so quickly, it is amazing to watch what they can do!