Workington Town have taken a leading ladies netball team under their wing.
The Herons will come under the Workington Town sporting umbrella by renaming as Workington Town Netball.
Town announced the arrival of the netball team today and said: “In a ground-breaking first for the club we will support, assist and help grow the team and sport whilst they still retain operational independence playing under our brand, crest and club colours!
“The team operate on the courts of West Cumbria, playing regular games on Monday’s and Tuesday’s throughout the year and they have team members associated with the club in other areas such as the Workington Town RLFC Ladies team, Workington Town Women FC development squads.
“The relationship is a strong, positive one which we hope will flourish as we continue to impact the sporting communities that we are part of.”
Both the parent club and the netball team have paid thanks to Graeme Phillips of West Cumbria Engineering Ltd and Paul Scott of the Renew business group for their support in this new venture.
West Cumbria Engineering Ltd will be the main kit sponsors for the next two years while Renew have also contributed with support.
Town added: “We hope this is the start of further partnerships for the future prosperity and growth of sport and leisure in West Cumbria, with Workington Town RLFC playing a prominent part in that by using it’s platform and standing to assist all demographics.
Graeme Phillips, managing director at West Cumbria Engineering Ltd, added: “Traditionally, sport has been dominated by men, both in terms of participation and governance.
“However with the rise in awareness of women’s sport through the recent women’s success in football, netball and rugby the increasing number of women’s participation will help widen perspectives, bring in new ideas, and reach new audiences.
“My two sons play rugby league (ex-Town players) which gave them fantastic opportunities to travel around the world playing the sport they love and now that I have three grand-daughters I want them to have the same opportunities in sport as my sons had.”
Team captain Kerry Foster said: “We are delighted to change our name and come under the umbrella of Workington Town RLFC.
“The club is on the up and opening up opportunities for female sport will hopefully assist its core operation as the rugby league club in the area.
“We love the new kit and can’t thank West Cumbria Engineering Ltd enough. We always play as a team and now we look like a team!
“We are excited about the link up and hope we can inspire more and more girls to play netball.”
Last month, it was announced Workington Reds Ladies football team would undergo a name change and become Workington Town.
