Wildcats set for action

Nov 17 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

WEST Lothian's only netball team are hosting their first ever competition this weekend.

Whitburn-based side, West Lothian Wildcats have invited various teams from across Scotland to the meet which will be held in St Margaret's Academy, Howden, Livingston.

And chairman Paul Stark hopes it is an event that will lead to many more.

He told the Courier Sports this week: “This is the first time we have tried anything like this and hopefully it will be a big success.

“The emphasis is very much on everyone having fun and that will be the most important thing.

“I think the experience will teach us a lot of lessons that we can bring forward and we will see what works and what doesn't.

“Hopefully we'll be able to develop it and make it a regular event.”

Northsiders Netball Club from Glasgow, Edinburgh’s Caledonian Netball Club and another side from the capital yet to be confirmed are all set to take part alongside the Wildcats.

The competition will be in the format of a round robin.

Members of each club will be divided up to create new teams for the day who will then take each other on.

Once a winner has been found, the teams will again be mixed up and another set of games will take place.

Paul added: “We aren't wanting to make it too competitive and that's why we are having it in a round robin format. A lot of people won't know each other so it's a chance for them to meet without it being too competitive. It's going to be about promoting the sport and letting people enjoy it.”

The Wildcats were established after one of their current members advertised at Whitburn Academy for teachers looking to take part in a netball night in the gym hall.

Since then, a netball scene has developed with social matches on Wednesday nights and more competitive games in Mondays.