The new netball league season begins on Sunday with games at the NSC and Bemahague.

The leagues are once again sponsored by Newfield this year and its generous support has allowed the Manx Netball Association to run more umpiring courses and provide all officials with an orange top. Newfield’s support has reduced competition costs to the participating teams.

The build up to the new season started on Saturday when visiting team NW Panthers from Chester played the island’s under-21 and u17 squads in a mini tournament.

This was useful practice for the Hooded Ram-sponsored u17 squad who are playing in their first international tournament in October in Dublin.

The IoM u21s faced Panthers’ u17s in the first match. Strong shooting from Aalish Bridson and Gemma Kirkham and the height and agility of island defenders Becky Hempsall and Molly Christian told as the Manx won 41-33.

The two Manx squads then played each other, u17 shooters Alice Cross and Angela Aumonier pushing the u21 defence to keep them within three points at half-time.

Bridson and Kirkham (U21) showed their experience in the third quarter by adding 21 points as the older team ran out winners 69-46.

The u17s then played Panthers in a much more evenly-matched game.

Panthers’ strong defence team made island captain Alice Cross and GA Aumonier work hard for their goals and at half-time Panthers led 17-15.

The IoM u17s’ mid-court was strong, with Jemima Shepherd, Olivia Jacklin-Chatha and Georgia Mitchell working well to clear Panthers’ defence when moving the ball forward. In defence Ruby Turner and Cassie Pizzey were also working well together to recycle the ball.

Coach Emma Williams’s aim was to play a number of combinations to simulate the tournament situation in Dublin, where the squad will have to play two matches per day.

Vice-captain Lexa Hattersley and Alex Johnston showed great tenacity in their defensive play and Heather Parsons had a number of strong performances at GS.

In the mid-court, Gwen Williams and Holly Burgess showed strength and maturity in their play.

With both teams tiring, the IoM dug deep to try and overhaul Panthers in the last quarter and managed to match their score. However, Panthers had done enough in the third quarter to secure the win 32-28.

U17 team manager Deborah Evans added: ’I am incredibly proud of how our girls performed today, both on and off the court. They played for each other and showed a level of skill and resilience and that will serve them well in Dublin.’

l Panthers also played in Sunday’s Newfield Fast 5 Tournament.

The Fast 5 format allows rolling subs and extra points for scoring outside the normal shooting circle. This is a new format for the annual pre-season tournament and proved a great success.

Each year proceeds from a raffle held during the event are donated to the Neurological Ward at Walton Hospital in memory of Manx netballer Helen Kelly.

Sixteen teams competed in two pools, playing 12-minute matches. After an action-packed morning, NW Panthers were the winners.

l Manchester Giants Netball Club are visiting this weekend thanks to Rob McKee who has worked successfully with island senior squad lead coach Claire Battye over the last year.

On Saturday, Giants will train with the national squads as well as playing a match. On Sunday they will face the island u17s. Both sessions will be held at the NSC starting around 11.30am, with match play taking place in the afternoon. The match on Sunday will start at 1pm.