Lyneham
netballers win World Corporate Games in Budapest
Gazette and Herald
www.gazetteandherald.co.uk
29th July 2006 pg 82
RAF LYNEHAM'S netball team took their own nets to Romania
but returned with a world championship. The team won the World
Corporate Games in Budapest last week, despite having to take
their own equipment because facilities were so basic.
Jo Day, 24, a PE teacher at Devizes School, said: "It
is the first time netball has been in World Corporate games.
"Budapest did not know what a court looked like, we had
to fly out our own nets with us. A lot of people's perception
is that netball is for those who cannot play basketball, but
it is not the case here."
Day was only asked at the last minute to be part of the side
as her partner Nick Worrall is a navigator at Lyneham and
the team were a player short. Having won this year the team
are given an automatic place into next year's tournament in
Bilbao, Spain. The tournament will be held over the weekend
of 14th - 15th July 2007. Full details and programme can be
found on the World Corporate Games Website: www.corporate-games.com
Day, from Saddleback Close, Calne, said: "It is good
we don't have to qualify but the next tournament is in the
Caribbean so we just have to qualify for that one!"
The team qualified for the event after winning the UK Corporate
Games in Lydiard Park, Swindon, last month. Princess Anne,
Honorary Patron of the 2006 Games, was the guest of honour
at the official launch of the competition which combines the
worlds of business and sport. The Corporate Games is very
much about using all sorts of different influences to bring
people together. Sport is a major part of that and also inspires
major improvements in other areas like Lydiard.
Day, who plays netball for Melksham, said the conditions
in Turkey were difficult to cope with.
She said: "It did take a long time to adapt because
of the heat, it was 34 degrees when we arrived on Friday morning.
We kept going though and you obviously couldn't slack for
a game so it was tough."
The team played in the heats on Saturday and the knock out
rounds on the Sunday. They beat The Bank National de Paris
in the final and Day was pleased with the team's performance.
She said: "The standard was really mixed but it was very
enjoyable and very hot. We had a few tough games and the final
was especially difficult because they were a good team.
"I am very lucky to be able to have a school who supported
me and allowed me to take part."
Flight Lieutenant and captain Liz Smith added: "This
was a fantastic weekend of sport and gave us the opportunity
to experience netball in a whole new environment. The team
played excellent and deserved to win." |
