COASTAL Storms Netball Academy youngsters have taken part in their first-ever friendly.

Children from school years six to ten played some part against Colchester League team Flames.

First up was the club’s year nine and ten players, who played the first 20 minutes.

Despite going down 10-7, they still produced an outstanding performance, employing different formations, skills and tactics.

Coastal then put out a different team, made up of youngsters in school years six to nine.

They also impressed their coaches, despite going down 12-3.

Coach Karen Trigg said: “We were so proud of our girls. This was their first-ever friendly as a club and considering the girls haven’t played as a team before, and were up against a league team from year ten, both myself and (daughter and fellow coach) Faye were extremely impressed.”

Elsewhere, the club’s youngest member, five-year-old Winnie Cowler, has been working on her England Netball Skills Award.

She not only completed level one but level two, too.

Cowler is now awaiting her badges and will be moving on to level three shortly. Karen and Faye are delighted with the progress of their Coastal Storms academy.

Players have been working on game play, defending, attacking and fitness and the coaches have been encouraged by the feedback they have received. Faye said: “At this stage, being praised is such a big thing to myself and Karen.

“We’ve put in so much effort and, as everyone knows, there’s a lot of preparation to do before and after the sessions.

“We know we’re heading in the right direction and it also gives us the extra boost to do whatever it takes to get more girls involved.”

Coastal Storms are always looking for new players, aged between five and 16.

Sessions are held on a Monday evening, from 6pm to 7pm (years three to six), 7pm to 8pm (years seven to 11) at Clacton Coastal Academy, in Jaywick Lane.

The cost of each session is £3 per session. For more information, e-mail coastalstormsnetballacademy@aol.co.uk