| The Machars primary school netball league came to a dramatic conclusion on Wednesday (22nd June) following eight weeks of closely fought matches. It went down to the wire with Creetown needing to draw or win the cluster derby match against Minnigaff in the very last game of the season: which they managed to do. The netball title comes just days after the school was crowned champions of the new Active Schools and Community sport football league.
Seven schools (8 teams) signed up as a result of last year’s successful campaign and once again their efforts are to be commended. The progression and improvement in the standard of games from the first week to the last was quite significant with a number of teams still in the mix for the title in the latter stages.
Volunteers from Galloway Netball Club were equally as committed, turning out weekly to help umpire, time-keep and score, which was greatly appreciated. Pupils from the high flying DEHS netball teams also supported the league as team ‘managers’ and umpires, which is encouraging to see.
The league was formed to encourage girls to be more active and have the opportunity to play competitive sport. Where there was a shortage of female participants, smaller schools recruited their male counterparts to allow them to be represented in the league.
There were some superb individual and team performances with a strong group going on up to the DEHS in August, who will hopefully continue to play and enjoy the game. For those in the lower classes, they have had their first taste of the primary league and will have the opportunity to build on their experience again next summer term. A small prize giving was held following the conclusion of play with the schools split as follows:
SOUTH MACHARS: Port William, Whithorn, Wigtown & Kirkcowan
NORTH MACHARS: Penninghame A, Penninghame B, Creetown & Minnigaff
Team Results:
1st Creetown 2nd Port William 3rd Whithorn Individual Awards:
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee commended the efforts and achievements of all the youngsters involved. “Once again it is exciting to see competitive sport thriving in the area. The commitment of all the staff, volunteers, parents and pupils to deliver such a successful event must be highlighted and the future of netball in the Machars is certainly looking very bright.”
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One partner. No competitors. Visible across local sport.
