Our Story
Since 2007, our club has evolved from a small adult Back to Netball group into one of Hertfordshire's largest junior netball clubs. Today, more than 220 young people benefit each week from opportunities to improve their physical wellbeing, confidence, teamwork and resilience through activities delivered entirely by volunteers.
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Our journey reflects the dedication of hundreds of players, coaches, volunteers and families who have helped shape the Club we are today. Although our name changed from Priory Netball Club to Hitchin Netball Club in 2022, our values have remained the same: providing a welcoming, inclusive environment where young people can develop their skills, build confidence, make lasting friendships and enjoy netball.
Priory Netball Club (2007–2021)
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2007 – Early Beginnings
Our journey began in 2007 as Priory Netball Club, based at The Priory School in Hitchin. Originally established by Mel Mansfield, former England goal shooter and an established Super League coach, as an adult Back to Netball group, the Club quickly grew in popularity. As membership increased, training moved from the indoor sports hall to the outdoor courts that continue to be our home today.
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2009 – Junior Netball Begins
In 2009, the Club expanded to include a junior section, providing weekly coaching for players from Year 5 through to Year 13. This marked the beginning of our commitment to developing young players, with generations of children enjoying competitive netball while building confidence, teamwork and friendships that extend beyond the court.
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2012 – Building Strong Foundations
As the junior section continued to grow, the Club invested in coach education, with volunteers achieving England Netball coaching qualifications and attending specialist development workshops. Additional teams entered league competition, while pathways into youth and adult netball continued to develop. As demand increased, waiting lists were introduced for some age groups.
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2013 – Achieving CAPS Accreditation
The Club achieved England Netball CAPS Bronze Accreditation and introduced a more formal volunteer and committee structure, including dedicated safeguarding and volunteer coordination roles. During the same period, the Club expanded its Pass on the Passion programme, helping older players develop coaching and umpiring skills while supporting younger age groups.
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2015 – Investing in Quality
The Club continued to strengthen the quality of coaching and the overall player experience. Shared coaching programmes and coach development sessions were introduced, more parent helpers joined the coaching pathway, safeguarding and England Netball standards were further embedded, and volunteers were given greater opportunities to develop. Membership continued to grow, leading to formal re-registration processes, expanded competitive opportunities and larger training groups.
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2021 – A New Chapter
Following two seasons disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the junior committee formally agreed that the club was ready to become independent. On 22 November 2021, the junior and youth section officially separated from the adult club. A new committee was elected, the Club Constitution was formally adopted, and separate governance, safeguarding and financial arrangements were established. The Club also launched its own website and membership system, laying the foundations for the launch of Hitchin Netball Club in 2022.
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Hitchin Netball Club (2022–Present)
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2022 – A New Identity
In 2022, the Club officially became Hitchin Netball Club. The committee recognised that the name Priory Netball Club often led people to believe the Club was part of The Priory School or only open to its pupils. Renaming the Club reflected its identity as an independent community club, welcoming young people from across Hitchin and the surrounding area. Alongside the new name, the Club adopted a new logo and introduced The Gems identity, with each age group receiving its own gemstone name. During the year, the Club also reintroduced its Year 5 section, expanded its programme with holiday netball camps to provide children with affordable opportunities to remain active during school holidays while strengthening friendships and supporting working families, together with winter training, continuing to invest in opportunities for young players to develop.
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2023 – Growing Together
As demand for places continued to increase, Hitchin Netball Club welcomed its first Year 4 group. Our coaching team and volunteer network also expanded, enabling more players to enjoy high-quality coaching within a fun, inclusive and supportive environment. During the year, the Club also became a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), strengthening its governance and long-term sustainability.
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2024 – Record Growth
2024 marked another significant milestone in the Club's growth. Responding to increasing demand from local families, volunteers introduced a new Minis training session, including a Year 3 squad, enabling dozens more children to access organised community sport at an earlier age. This enabled more young people to participate in regular physical activity while developing confidence, building friendships and experiencing the benefits of being part of a supportive team.
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The Club also welcomed more coaches and volunteers, providing even more opportunities for players to enjoy training, matches and tournaments. The Priory School resurfaced its outdoor courts, improving the Club's training facilities, while Hitchin Netball Club expanded its programme of friendly fixtures and inter-club matches, giving players even more opportunities to develop through competitive play.
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2025 – Community Impact and Recognition
2025 was a landmark year for Hitchin Netball Club, with continued growth both on and off the court.
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The Club introduced its new Hitchin Netball Club playing kit, recruited additional England Netball Level 2 coaches, supported Parent Helpers to achieve England Netball Level 1 coaching qualifications, and continued to expand its Youth section.
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Behind the scenes, volunteers completed a major digital transformation of the Club's administration systems, expanded fundraising initiatives to support local players and international netball projects, introduced holiday netball camps and strength and conditioning sessions, and hosted the inaugural Hitchin Netball Club Pre-Season Tournament, welcoming teams from across the region.
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The Club's impact was also recognised beyond the netball community when it received the first-ever North Herts Community Champion Award. The award recognised the Club's commitment to supporting young people, removing barriers to participation and making netball accessible to all. Following the award, local MP Alistair Strathern visited the Club to meet volunteers, players and families, recognising the positive contribution the Club continues to make within the local community.
Looking Ahead
Today, Hitchin Netball Club provides weekly coaching and competitive opportunities for more than 220 young people from Year 3 to Year 13, welcoming children of all abilities from Hitchin and the surrounding area. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive and ambitious club where every player can develop confidence, enjoy being part of a team and reach their potential. We're incredibly proud of how far we've come—and we're excited about the future.
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Our Heritage
Although Hitchin Netball Club was established in 2022, we proudly celebrate the achievements of everyone who was part of Priory Netball Club. The contributions and achievements of the players, coaches, volunteers and families who helped build the Club remain an important part of our history. To preserve this legacy, we created our Roll of Honour, celebrating the contributions and achievements of players, coaches and volunteers from both Priory Netball Club and Hitchin Netball Club.
Explore the Priory Netball Club Roll of Honour
The Priory Netball Club Roll of Honour celebrates the achievements of our players, coaches and volunteers from 2007 to 2022. These awards recognise the commitment, development and sportsmanship that helped shape the Club we know today.