Simply the best

A Glorious hat-trick for Oldham netball. Pictured are Debbie Hallas (back row, left, National Premier League Division One coach), Pam Hazelton (head coach), Jackie Reid (head junior coach), with (front, left to right), captains Gabriella Marshall (under-16s), Kerry Almond (seniors) and Abigail Tyrrell (under-14s)

NETBALL; OLDHAM coach Debbie Hallas hailed a silverware-laden season as one of best in the club’s history.

The senior side clinched top spot in the National Premier League Division One for the first time, while the under-16s and under-14s won the National Championships.

That double took the club’s tally of junior titles to 42.

Hallas said: “It has been a fantastic campaign — the most successful I can remember, maybe alongside the Grand Slam in 2005.

“For the seniors it was a wonderful feeling to win the title.

“The junior sides have to go through so much to be successful in the National Championships and the standard is very high, so for both of our sides to win was a great achievement.”

Hallas dedicated the club’s latest success to founder Mike Greenwood, who passed away last year.

The under-16s have been invited to play in the Emirates Airline Middle East Youth International Festival in Dubai next March. Youngsters can showcase their skills at the plush 50,000 capacity Sevens Stadium, a purpose-built sports arena erected four years ago.

Coach Pam Hazelton said: “It is a tremendous opportunity for our young players to take part in such a prestigious event. The competition is part of the Middle East International Festival of Sport, which is a huge occasion.”

The teams is looking for sponsorship to fund the trip: offers to 07837 900090.



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