SIR, I write on behalf of Peebles Netball Committee in response to the letter titled “Awards for All please” which was printed in the Peeblesshire News on October 31.

The grant received by the club is for very specific use: Adult Netball and Primary 7 Netball, both of which are totally inclusive. The grant cannot and will not be used to fund the existing Secondary School age teams.

The Adult Netball sessions commenced at the beginning of the season and they are open to anyone aged 14 upwards. We now have around 40 people of varying ages and abilities playing regularly: some competing in the Borders Adult Netball League and others simply enjoying the recreational side of the sport.

The Primary 7 sessions will be open to any Tweeddale girl, irrespective of experience or ability. These sessions are currently being planned and will be commencing fairly soon.

These Adult and Primary 7 Netball sessions would not have been achievable without both the fantastic new sports facilities at Peebles High School and the Awards for All grant – for which we are extremely grateful.

With regard to Secondary School age teams, Peebles Netball is constrained by a shortage of both court time and coaching availability.

Unfortunately we have no option but to be selective as an hour long session with fifty odd girls, only fourteen on court at any time and one coach would be unacceptable to everyone involved. Obviously some of the unselected girls are bitterly disappointed, we do feel for them and wish it could be otherwise.

It may be that in the future this situation could change, but in the meantime we do point these girls towards the popular Tweeddale Tigers who run great recreational Netball Sessions.

Peebles Netball would be delighted to welcome additional volunteers who could help our expanding club to provide great netball experiences for everyone.

I am, etc.

Alys Rodwell Secretary Peebles Netball