Netballers take to the courts in mixed tournament and raise thousands of pounds for Ukraine and West Berkshire homelesss charities

More than 150 male and female netballers battled it out in a mixed tournament – and raised nearly £2,000 for charity.

And the event was such a success that players are already asking when the next one will be.

Organiser Claire Pinfold said it had been an “incredible” day and she was relieved that the rain held off for most of the games.

A total of £1,862 was raised on the day and the money will be split between West Berkshire Homeless, a charity that Mrs Pinfold has volunteered with for several years, and the DEC’s Ukraine appeal.

“Everyone was talking about how there’s very few charity fun tournaments in the Newbury area and we had had such good fun at another one I took part in in 2020,” Mrs Pinfold explained. “At first I just thought I would gauge what the reaction would be and within a day I had more than 20 teams asking if they could join.”

And so on Sunday, more than 160 men and women from Newbury, Thatcham, Basingstoke, Reading and Hungerford – competing in 20 different teams and supported by eight qualified umpires – took to the courts at Thatcham’s Kennet School in a bid to win the charity title.

Eventually finishing in first place was T&B; with Joint Forces in second; Blood, Sweat and Beers in third; and Guns & Posies in fourth.

At the busy event there was also a tombola and raffle, with prizes donated by kind-hearted local businesses and individuals, as well as drinks and sweet stalls.

Mrs Pinfold added: “Everyone loved that there was a local charity and then to be supporting the Ukraine appeal too; people felt so good to be helping these charities by doing something they love.

“It was incredible. And some of the men playing were incredible too, but it was funny watching some of the games.

“It was a really, really good day. It was like a real netball community and everyone was so warm and supportive.

“It was brilliant.”