Pinehurst Netball Club in Swindon celebrates 80 years

Pinehurst Netball Club is marking 80 years in June and has invited ex-players and old friends to join in the fun.

The club was launched by lifelong Swindon resident Doreen Wilcox and her school friend Jean Neville when they were just 15.

On Saturday, June 8 the club is hosting a party at The Village Hotel to celebrate their anniversary and anyone who has played for the club or worked with the club is invited. 

Doreen said: “Lots of people have given to the club over the years and it would be out of this world to see them again. I’d love to see old players again and it’s a shame we have lost contact because of Covid and things.”

Doreen turns 96 in August and still attends training sessions on Tuesday evenings to watch the teams play.

Pinehurst Netball Club currently have around 100 members at junior and adult levels, with local and regional teams competing across the country.

Over the years, the club has produced three international players and an umpire who stuck with them for 60 years.

Doreen has also earned herself an MBE by raising over £100,000 for various cancer charities – a cause close to her heart as both her mother and brother died of the disease. 

She said it was her passion for helping the community and a love of netball which has kept her going, as well as the support from her late husband, who died last year after the couple spent 71 years together.

Laura, who joined the club when she was in primary school and is now in her 30s, is a close friend of Doreen's and helps her get to and from training sessions.

“The idea of the event is to not only celebrate the club, but to celebrate Doreen," she said.

For more information about the event contact: pinehurstnetball@outlook.com