JUNIORS…..

The #hornetsfamily story started in 1973 with an advert appealing for ‘ladies wishing to play netball’. after 20 successful years playing in adult leagues, the junior club was formed in 1993 providing netball coaching to youngsters in hertford and ware. fast forward over 25 years later and hertford hornets netball club still prides itself on its heritage and ability to offer competitive, fun and progressive netball from players ranging from 7 to 70!

In 1993 Mary Thompson and Barbara Clay, who had both been Hornets players themselves, decided that Hertford Hornets needed to start a junior section in order to provide good quality netball coaching for girls in the Hertford and Ware area.

Starting with Year 5 to Year 11 teams, the girls had the opportunity to play in lots of different leagues, tournaments and also staying away playing against teams in different parts of the country.

In recent years we have now expanded our teams to include Year 3 & 4, hoping to get girls onboard earlier and helping them along their path of enjoying netball.

During the last 25 years the club has benefited from many committed chair people, committee members, coaches, umpires and administrators. Our chair people have been: Mary Thompson, Gill Bickerstaff, Frances Paxman, Cathy Rex, Jane Robinson, Emma Ward and most recently Sam Turner and Julia Tye. All these people have had a very positive impact on the club moving it forward in a variety of ways.

We have also, and continue to, had the benefit of many very supportive parents who have transported their children all over the country and watched their girls play in all weathers.

Club governance, particularly in the Junior side of our club, is paramount. The Club Action Planning Scheme (CAPS) is a programme and framework designed to ensure clubs are offering quality netball in line with best practice, maintaining high standards of coaching and umpiring to allow for player development as well as providing reassurance that important child protection policies and volunteer training are in place throughout the club. Hertford Hornets is a Silver CAPS club.

Hertford Hornets Junior Netball Club is now an established well-known club in the country, able to compete alongside other strong clubs. There are hundreds of girls playing at all levels who started their netball careers with Hornets Juniors.

We have a legacy to be proud of!