Dart crowned Best in West

Dart Netball Club has been voted ‘South-West Netball Club of the Year’ in the England Netball One Awards.
The club was recognised for their continued involvement in the local community, having started in 2015, and now have in the region of 300 members, with players spanning from age six, right up to walking netballers.
In the past four years, the club has established a performance section with Lead Coach Donna Hawkins, who has also been awarded South-West Coach of the Year. 2023 saw the U14’s overall Regional Div 2 South-West champions.
They also run a program which provides opportunities for families who need support. Last year, 72 juniors went on tour to Brean Sands and this year 100 juniors went on tour to Butlins.
Head coach Charlie Haigh said: “Four senior teams play in Torbay Netball League and this year Dart Rockets were Division 1 winners. We’ve established a New Senior Performance squad entered the County league with aspirations to enter the playoffs for a Regional 3 place. A Walking Netball session started in January, with the oldest participant aged 84!”
The club organise coach trips to watch International and Superleague matches, plus performance and development camps in half-term.
Coaches and umpires are supported to gain new qualifications, while the majority of sessions are so popular that a waiting list has been created.
Grant funding from the Devon Community Foundation have helped to keep costs of Bee Netball sessions to a minimum and from Torbay On the Move to start up a new Walking Netball group offering free taster sessions.
The club is currently working towards funding for new court markings at the training venue at Torbay Leisure Centre.
They are included in Torbay Leisure Card, a scheme for low-income families to access local sports clubs and facilities at reduced cost, with additional support for any members experience financial difficulties.
Dart has taken part in Paignton Carnival, Summer Fetes and School Fairs and has organised collections for local Foodbanks and donations to charities.
A huge coaching community of 22 seniors coaches exists at Dart and they are constantly developing the next generation of assistant and lead coaches.