Old Chelts Netball Club have had many successes over the years.

But now it’s time to hand over to the juniors!

“In the last few years the club have had a waiting list of players wishing to join our junior club groups,” says Caroline Mackenzie, who has played, coached, and been involved in club development for over 30 years.

Caroline describes the juniors and their coaches as “the club’s main strength now”.

They boast well over 100 members, with Caroline believing it could be as many as 150.

“We’ve had juniors since the mid-90s,” says Caroline, who started the programme with Sally Berry.

When asked about prominent talents in the club at the moment, it wasn’t a surprise when Caroline mentioned two of the junior members – under-16 duo Maddie Norward and Celeste Godden.

“They’ve been selected for the Severn Stars Superleague, an under-17 training group who are based in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire,” says Caroline.

“The under-14s have also qualified for the South West regional league,” Caroline enthuses, “and we have junior members in centres of excellence run within Gloucestershire.”

It’s not just about the juniors, though.

The senior first team, most of whom are under 20, are playing in Division One in the Gloucestershire League and are currently top of the table.

The club also have a team in Division Two of the league.

Not only do Old Chelts boast quality in terms of their successes on the courts, they also boast quantity in terms of their thriving membership.

“There are three under-14 teams and three under-16 teams as well as two under-12 and under-13 teams,” says Caroline.

“There is also First Step for pupils in year three and four as well as High5 groups for those in year five and six,” she says.

“The club were formed in 1986 and morphed into Old Chelts by women from St Mary’s College, now the University of Gloucestershire, who trained as teachers and extended the club to their students, to produce a highly successful adult side who played in the Gloucestershire League and regional league,” says Caroline.

Old Chelts’ ethos is one that believes providing “social interaction and the development of netball in a happy environment” is key.

The club have always strived to allow everyone to develop to their maximum potential, so progression is also essential.

They offer transition from First Step and High5’s through to the county and regional leagues.

“Every squad trains once a week for up to two hours depending on age and ability level,” says Caroline.

Matches are played at Leisure At Cheltenham, Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Bentham Dome.

They are all indoor venues, reflecting what is happening at a national level for the sport.

It’s a very positive development for netball across Cheltenham and the rest of the county.

In fact, Netball in Gloucestershire is only becoming more popular, so maybe you should get started today, says Caroline.