Camden Sports - by CATHERINE ETOE Published: 2 July 2009
Cumberland clinches sixth title
Successful netball club’s elite section just a step away from national recognition
ONE of the borough’s most popular sports clubs clinched its sixth title of the season at the weekend and is calling on new players to join its not-for-profit set-up. The Cumberland Netball Club’s A Team retained the All England Netball Challenge Cup Plate, adding it to two divisional and three other tournament titles secured this season.
The club’s elite section will fly the flag for Camden in the top London and South East league next season – one step away from national recognition – and is now looking to expand its roster. Trials will run in August and club spokeswoman Natalie Cowie says players of all abilities are welcome to try out. “The club does a fantastic job at providing women’s sport for all ages and abilities in Camden,” said Miss Cowie. “We’ve got 180 members aged 14 to 60 and the people who run the club are all volunteers.”
The club has played out of Camden Sports Pitch in Camden Street for the past three years and relies on membership fees and fundraising to pay for umpires and pitches.
As well as putting players up for action in 15 leagues and tournaments, the club also pays for members to undertake All England umpire and coaching courses. It is working towards accreditation as a children’s club and Miss Cowie says that the club is not just about its elite section. “We are a club of volunteers and cater for young players wanting to develop their skills and older women who just want to keep up their fitness,” she added.
Cumberland’s elite side does offer younger players inspiration, however. This season it secured its third consecutive league promotion with a championship winning term in Division Two of the London and South East Region. The POLY Division One Invitational League, Middlesex County tournament, POLY invitational tournament and Bournemouth Sevens Wine Cup tournament have all been added to the trophy cabinet this season.
The icing on the cake arrived on Sunday when the A Team successfully defended its All England Netball Challenge Cup Plate crown against Essex side Manor in Walsall.
A convincing 41-19 win saw Hannah Gale picked out as a star performer and a nine goal lead within the first quarter proved too much for Manor to overhaul.