Wildcats will raise their public profile
West Lothian team aim to capitalise on sport’s appeal
Netball is gaining more national exposure than ever before thanks to Scotland’s success on the international stage ... and the West Lothian Wildcats hope they can build on that on a local level.
The Wildcats, who have been active for seven years, currently run sessions for youngsters throughout West Lothian and the club’s new Development Officer, Rachel Johnston, is looking to take the club from strength to strength.
Rachel, who took on the role last month, commented: “We are currently running recreational netball that we aim to make fun for everyone involved but also helps them with their skills and makes them improve as players.
“We run sessions at Deans Community High School, Broxburn Academy and Linlithgow Academy and we can see an increase in numbers with the game becoming more and more popular and getting greater national exposure.
“The Scottish Thistles have qualified for both the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games so netball seems to be on a high point nationally just now and it would be great to build on that locally.”
She added: “The club currently have teams at under-13, 15 and 17 levels who are recreational but we also have competitive squads who play in the Edinburgh League and hope that folk can come in and start playing in the recreational squads and then improve and make the step up to one of our competitive teams.
“The recreational sessions for us are just about getting kids active for an hour or two every week and introducing them to netball. It’s been remarkable to see really the lack of netball facilities and people who can coach it so I’m going round the schools and trying to drum up interest and look to build the sport.”
Rachel believes netball and playing for the Wildcats can be a great benefit for local youngsters, with the chance to build friendships and learn how to be part of a team.
She said: “Netball is great for kids because it teaches you so much. It’s a team sport, so you have to learn how to be part of a team and learn skills that let you play as part of a larger group.
“It’s also a great way to meet new friends and we’re bringing primary school children together in one group from different primary schools who will then be going to the same secondary schools with existing friendships through playing netball with the Wildcats.”
She added: “Netball is fast-paced sport so it’s great for fitness as well and the players have to learn how to communicate with each other so it helps with vital communication skills as well.
“It also gets them off their phones and media devices for a bit, so that can’t be a bad thing either.”
For more information on the West Lothian Wildcats, check out their website at www.westlothianwildcats. com or Facebook page at www. facebook.com/westlothianwildcats.
You can also follow the club on Twitter @WLWildcats.