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A massive team of netballers is hoping to smash a world record next month - playing non-stop for 24 hours.
Their challenge is to beat the current Guinness record set by a team of 75 netballers and raise as much money as they can to help the Island’s Premier team represent Jersey off-Island.
Team Jets who’ve been promoted to the National Premier League 2 frequently play away so are hoping for a bit of a boost to their travel expenses.
The event’s organiser Jo Nash said: “With Team Jets being promoted to the National Premier League 2 and the Under 14’s reaching the amazing achievement of being placed 6th in the National Club finals, their fantastic skills are generating an ever growing requirement for travel costs which the UK teams don’t have to bear.
“Being part of Jersey South West but located outside of the lottery funding zone the the Jersey Netball Association will be very grateful to have some additional funding to support their continued participation in this ever growing national sport.”
Channel Island Sports Personality of the Year and Team Jets captain Lauren Davine will be playing the ball, putting in a team of her own to help kick off the first record attempt on Friday 10 July.
She said: "So many people have supported us throughout our journey it would be nice if we can give something back.
"I've formed a team for the 8-10pm slots made up of some Jets players, some mixed players and some league players and on the Saturday there are 8 Jets and returning Jets playing a showcase game against the Island's men's team.
"The organisers have put in a substantial amount of effort to ensure the best chance of success in their attempts to beat the world record and I can't wait to be a part of it."
The players will have three attempts at beating the record during the 24-hour stint at Le Rocquier.
Jo said: “Those doing the Guinness challenge need to practice some smooth moves with almost continual subs off/subs on. Being a Guinness attempt even the smallest detail must be recorded to verify that the record has been broken.”
The netballathon is one of Nicky Holgate-Smith’s bucket list of challenges that she’s taken on before she turns 40 in December and to raise money for Philip’s Footprints – the charity that supports Islanders affected by the loss of a baby.
The charity is hoping to put some of the money raised towards a training course for 35 local midwives and doctors.
Jo Nash who set up Philip’s Footprints in memory of her son Philip said:
It teaches effective care of mothers and babies at risk of premature birth, growth restriction and stillbirth and ensuring effective assessment and care of at-risk babies before and at the time of delivery. This training benefits every pregnant woman. We hope to sponsor more courses in the future and this will help to fund that.”
Once the attempt is complete it will take 3 months for Guinness to verify whether Jersey’s new team are world record breakers.
But the netballers won’t be the only ones getting active that weekend – Jo is also organizing a big Family Fun day at Le Rocquier on Saturday 11 July – giving both kids and mums and dads the chance to try out some new sports and activities.
There's still time to register your own team in the Netballathon and you can find out more here.
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