THE outdated idea that netball is a sport solely for girls has been comprehensively disproved at a charity fund-raising event in Helensburgh.

At the invitation of Helensburgh Netball Club (HNC), four teams of novice netball players gathered at Lomond School’s sports hall to help raise funds for the Little Wings Foundation, a charity set up by HNC player Seonaid Biagioni which provides quality orthopaedic care for children in challenging humanitarian situations in the Middle East.

The invitational teams comprised a group of teachers from Hermitage Primary School, two teams of HNC friends and family, and, seeking to occupy a close-season Saturday free of scrums, rucks and mauls, a team from just across the road at Helensburgh Rugby Club.

LATEST HEADLINES: Public voices ongoing anger at Lomond Banks plans

Seonaid said: "It all went really well – some of the players had never played, some had been practising a bit on the quiet, but all the teams ended up being very evenly matched, and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

"Every little bit of financial support is really important to the Foundation – everything we raise goes towards medical supplies and the cost of our two trips to the Middle East each year and we're really grateful for all the help we receive, no matter how small."

LATEST HEADLINES: Helensburgh ladies get on their bikes to raise cash for MND research

HNC is open to women aged 14 years and above who are interested in playing recreational and competitive netball. The club is holding trials for its two squads on Saturday, August 10 and Monday, August 12 – see the ‘Helensburgh Netballclub’ Facebook page for more information.