WOMEN in east Durham are urged to go back to their school days and rediscover their love of netball.

The East Durham Belles are offering a 10-week Get into Netball programme for adult beginners, returners or those who haven’t played since their teens.

The course which aims to improve fitness while having fun at the same time will take participants through basic skills, drills, fitness and team play delivered by netball coaches and volunteers.

When the East Durham Belles project first launched its netball sessions in Wingate in October last year, organizers expected only half a dozen people to turn up.

Instead , almost 30 women came along eager to have a go at the sport they had enjoyed as teenagers.

Now they are hoping to attract more players for the next round of Move into Sport sessions.

Mum-of-four Jean Scollen of Blackhall said had not been on a netball court since she left school, but two decades later she is hooked.

The 38-year-old said: “I feel like I am 17 again. Until I wake up the next morning that is.

“It’s so much fun, you don’t realise you are exercising.

The East Durham Belles project is managed by Wingate Family Centre and funded by Sport England through the County Durham Move into Sport programme. ffer."

Sessions cost £2.50 and start in March at East Durham College, Peterlee.

Participants who complete the programme will be given 12 weeks free sessions and a club t-shirt.

To find out more abot the netball sessions contact Steph Masterman on 01429-835241 or email: eastdurhambelles@hotmail.co.uk.