A PEEBLES sports club has made a desperate plea for sponsors in order to keep going.

Tweeddale Tigers Netball Club launched its appeal after a series of fundraising efforts was not enough to support them financially.

Sue Steel, who runs the group, is looking for local businesses to support her club and help enter the team into the Borders Adult Netball League (BANL), run by Peebles Netball.

In 2015, the Tigers began to play in the BANL, despite the team being primarily made up of 15 to 16-year-olds. Over the past two years they have gained vast experience from the league, with some of the women from other teams helping with their training. 

Last year a new ‘Developer’s League’ was started by Peebles Netball, and the Tigers were able to enter a younger team, the Tiger Cubs.

Sue told the Peeblesshire News: “We hope to enter a team into both the BANL and the Developers League next season [September 2017], but to do this we need funds, as we just don’t have the money.

"The past couple of years the girls themselves have raised funds for team dresses and entry to the leagues from bake sales, rag bags and bag packing, but it would be great if this year they could just concentrate on their netball.

“Not only do they have league fees to pay again this year, but as we now have two teams we need some more new dresses. We would love for a local business to come forward to help us out. Or anyone really who would like to contribute to a local club.”

The club was launched in 2012 by Sue after she was approached by parents and children to start up a “fun” netball club in Peebles, open to High School girls of any playing ability.

At its inception, the former Newlands Primary netball coach arranged to have sessions at the Drill Hall on Mondays and Thursdays after school, and the name and logo for the club, ‘Tweeddale Tigers’ was created by the girls.

Over the past five years the group has grown, with many of the original girls still attending. 

Approximately 30 girls currently undertake the two sessions, with several coming to both days. To keep the group going, a number of parents help Sue out on rota basis.

Without parental help, Sue says she wouldn’t be able to continue running the club.

This coming term, Sue is opening up the club to any P7 girls in the area who wish to come along on a Thursday from 4-5pm and join the Tigers.

To sponsor the group, or for information on how to join, contact Sue at suesteel@outlook.com, or call 07778 807675.