"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision. " ~ Muhammad Ali
Where did we begin?
Back in 1996 a group of eight friends who all knew each other and played netball previously for different teams, decided to get together and form a new team called Saracens. They joined the Worcester City Netball League in the summer of 1996 in division 1, and came runners up in this first season. Following that they entered the winter league and took the winners title from a very experienced Team who had held the title for the past 5 seasons! From here on in they continued this winning streak in Worcester for the next 8 seasons. During this period, they were attracting new players and soon there was enough players to form a second Team, called Saracen Royals.
Royals started in the lower division of the Worcester Summer League and slowly through the seasons worked their way up into the Premier Division joining the original Saracens team. The original founder of the club Donna McLeod, also became the U18 Worcestershire County coach and as a result had access to a number of talented young players who only played at school level. Using the prize money gained from Saracens & Royals; Saracen Colts were formed. As we are a club who welcomes players from all over the County and different walks of life, this cycle has been repeated over and over again and we are now 9 teams strong covering ages, from 10 years to 40+, amounting to 90 players plus an additional 20 plus officials.
Royals started in the lower division of the Worcester Summer League and slowly through the seasons worked their way up into the Premier Division joining the original Saracens team. The original founder of the club Donna McLeod, also became the U18 Worcestershire County coach and as a result had access to a number of talented young players who only played at school level. Using the prize money gained from Saracens & Royals; Saracen Colts were formed. As we are a club who welcomes players from all over the County and different walks of life, this cycle has been repeated over and over again and we are now 9 teams strong covering ages, from 10 years to 40+, amounting to 90 players plus an additional 20 plus officials.
Our Vision for continual growth & development of the Club and Individual Players
Given the fact that there is no longer a County structure within our Governing Body – England Netball, the emphasis is now strongly on the development of clubs, to provide a structured approach to attracting and developing young players, (who could ultimately be the next generation of International Players), both competively and socially.
Saracens is now a recognised club within England Netball as we have just been accredited with a Bronze CAP award, and are quickly working up to our silver award. To do this we need to encourage players at an even younger age i.e U12, encourage more junior players to become officials, i.e coaching, umpiring, etc. In addition to this we also need to find the facilities to allow us to train and play our matches.
Most of the teams play outdoors in all kinds of weather, and it is only the Regional squads that get the opportunity to play indoors. We have a standard kit of a dress & shorts which the girls have all purchased, but we need some further items to enhance our identity as a Club. Unfortunately all this takes money, and this is where we would like some help.
Saracens is now a recognised club within England Netball as we have just been accredited with a Bronze CAP award, and are quickly working up to our silver award. To do this we need to encourage players at an even younger age i.e U12, encourage more junior players to become officials, i.e coaching, umpiring, etc. In addition to this we also need to find the facilities to allow us to train and play our matches.
Most of the teams play outdoors in all kinds of weather, and it is only the Regional squads that get the opportunity to play indoors. We have a standard kit of a dress & shorts which the girls have all purchased, but we need some further items to enhance our identity as a Club. Unfortunately all this takes money, and this is where we would like some help.