BNC are proud of its 70+ year history
The Club formed around 1950 when Mrs Irene Tester, a local youth organiser, spotted a group of girls from the local Life Brigade playing Basketball against the boys from the Boys Brigade.
She suggested that they form a netball team and the Red Triangles were born.
In the early 50s the team played teams from Bridgwater and in c. 1956 were playing in the newly formed Bridgwater Netball League.
They evolved into the Bridgwater Netball Club and started playing teams from Frome, Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare in the late 50s.
Amazingly, in 1956, the touring Australian National side was 'persuaded' by the same youth organiser to stay in Bridgwater for a week and during that time they played against Bridgwater and Somerset.
There is no record of the score but founder member and former Club President Doreen Hodge, who payed in both matches, remembers the local sides suffering heavy defeats!
In 1972 having expanded to two teams, the club amalgamated with a team at the YMCA to become the Bridgwater YMCA Netball Club.
Over the years the Club had grown to six teams and the Club enjoyed a long period of success with Jupiter dominating the Somerset Premiership Division in the 1980's. The Clubs highest achievment came from 2013-2019 where Jupiter had a stint in the Regional League.
Following several different venues and Club names over the years, the Club has now returned to its roots and is once again called Bridgwater Netball Club.
Following the Covid restrictions over the last year the Club has sought a new venue in the Canalside, Bridgwater, investing in court marking, new post's and playing equipment and is enjoying training together.
The Club has a very popular junior section, regularly entering 2 teams in each age group to the Somerset Junior League.
This success is largely due to the dedicated committee members who strive to continually develop the Club further.
As a result of their efforts the Club has achieved the Silver Caps award from England Netball in 2003 and has recently been re accrediated!
Since COVID, the club has continued to build a strong base, ensuring players have a inclusive club for all ages and abilities in the area. In the 2024/25 season the club will take to the court for the 75th year, with a thriving junior section from age 8, all the way up to players who were part of the club over 50 years ago. We look forward to the new season!
