J S Wright has renewed its sponsorship of the West Midlands’ premier junior netball club for the third consecutive season.
It will remain principal sponsor of Parkside whose girls currently play at Under 12 to Under 15 levels in the Birmingham Intermediate Netball League (BINL) and at Under 14 and Under 16 levels in the National League.
J S Wright’s renewed sponsorship will enable the Sutton Coldfield-based club, which is run entirely by volunteers, to continue to invest in quality training equipment and subsidise the entry fees for tournaments as its members return to indoor netball following the easing of Covid lockdown curbs.
The club, which trains at North Birmingham Academy and plays its BINL matches at the University of Birmingham, plans to resume matches on a friendly basis from May and to take part in tournaments again from June 21.
Netball has seen a huge rise in popularity among girls inspired by the Vitality Roses England women’s netball team which will enter the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as defending champions.
Parkside has an enviable record of producing county and England players. Former England captain Ama Agbeze MBE and current internationals Beth Cobden and Layla Gusgoth are among those that started as club juniors.
Having won numerous county and national titles since it was founded in 1995, Parkside juniors currently make up more than half the Birmingham Academy (county) squad, while the club’s Under 12s won the inaugural Sutton Netball League at the start of last year winning all 16 of their matches.
David Griffiths, Parkside Netball Club Chairman, commented: “Given that most of last season was cancelled, the club is extremely grateful that J S Wright has continued to support us in these difficult times.”
He added: “J S Wright’s support has proved invaluable in giving the increasing numbers of girls across Birmingham that are keen to take up netball the opportunity to train and play in a safe environment, gain confidence and achieve their potential, and make lasting friendships.”
Andrew Smith, J S Wright National Design and Estimating Director, whose daughter Lily plays for the club, said: “As a company that is committed to providing a safe and inclusive career path for our young people, we are delighted to continue to support a club that both nurtures the sporting ambitions of young girls in the community and aids their fitness, confidence and mental health.”
Caption: New players at Parkside Junior Netball Club sport their new JSW-branded hoodies in the company of their trainers