Simcocks men’s netball team will travel to Loughborough University this weekend to compete in the 2026 England Men’s & Mixed Netball Association Nationals event; a club-focused event for men’s and mixed netball teams.

Founded in 2019, the EMMNA is a pioneering organisation with a mission to develop, grow, and promote netball for all and as such are the recognised body for men's and mixed netball in England.

The 11-man squad is co-captained by Stephen Mulhern and Michael Pardoe.

It includes current Simcocks players Zac Irving, Michael Josem, David Poyser and Steven Ronan, alongside Jonny Hastie, Zahed Mian, Jason Philbin, Adam Shuttleworth and Ben Sinclair from fellow local men’s clubs Route 1 Connections and Ballasalla.

All players gained valuable experience in the successful inaugural Isle of Man Netball Performance League earlier this year and continued their preparations for this weekend’s competition throughout the summer.

The squad’s training programme concluded with three match-play sessions against some members of the current Rams senior squad.

Travelling Simcocks coaches Fi Kemp and Rhian Evans are delighted with the squad’s progress. Fi said: ‘Men’s netball is growing across the UK and further afield, and it is wonderful that local players have this opportunity to compete and develop their skills.’

Rhian added: ‘The focus and intensity the squad has shown in training is a real credit to them; we can’t wait to see them play.’

The travelling group is completed by team manager Poppy Irving and statistician Poppy Bowman, both Simcocks members and Loughborough University students.

- Would you like to get involved in men’s netball? Isle of Man Netball offers free men’s social netball sessions kindly sponsored by March Consultants Ltd.

The first session is taking place at the National Sports Centre between 1 and 2pm on Sunday, September 13. Email [email protected] for more information.