Netball starts here
England Netball's introduction to the game, for children from Reception to Year 4 — at both our hubs from September. Two free taster sessions, no kit, and absolutely no need to have played before.
What is Bee Netball?
Bee Netball is England Netball's programme for children at the very beginning of their team sport journey. It's about friendship, inclusion, fair play and playing together — not about how good children are, but about how hard they try.
From September we're running Bee Netball at both of our hubs, in Warrington and in Widnes, after sending more of our coaches on England Netball's Bee Leader course. It's open to children from Reception to Year 4, and it's built for children who have never picked up a netball before.
Every child starts with two free taster sessions. No kit, no membership, no commitment — just come along and see whether it's for them.
Bees are active, hardworking and have a real sense of belonging — which is exactly what we hope our own Bees pick up along the way.
At a glance
Bee Netball at G&W
- Who it's for
- Reception to Year 4 — girls and boys
- Where
- Both hubs — Warrington and Widnes
- When
- Starting September
- Training nights
- Coming soon
- To try it
- Two free taster sessions
Training times coming soon
We're finalising the days, times and venues for each hub. They'll be published here as soon as they're confirmed — put your name down now and we'll come straight back to you with them.
It isn't about how good they are
Bee Netball is built on England Netball's Beeliefs — five values aimed at what a child believes about themselves, rather than at their netball. Here's what each one looks like on our courts.
Bee Fair
Everybody gets the ball, everybody gets a go, and everybody plays. Nobody sits on the side watching.
Bee Friendly
Children arrive not knowing anybody and leave with a group of friends outside school. That happens on purpose, not by luck.
Bee Resilient
Dropping the ball is part of it. We make that safe, so having another go stops feeling like a big deal.
Bee Proud
The first catch, the first pass that reaches somebody, the first shot that goes in — we make a fuss of all of it.
Bee Confident
The quiet one at the back in week one is usually shouting for the ball by half term. That's the bit parents tell us about.
“It's not about how good children are, it's about how hard they try to Bee.”
England Netball
What actually happens on the night
An hour that looks like games and feels like play, with the netball tucked inside it.
Lots of touches of the ball
Not queuing for a turn. Sessions are built so every child is holding, throwing or chasing a ball for most of the hour.
The four basics
Throwing, catching, footwork and shooting — taught through games rather than drills, on lower posts sized for small players.
Small games, not big matches
Short games with a handful of players a side, so nobody gets lost on a full court and everybody is involved in the play.
Bee Leader trained coaches
Our coaches have been through England Netball's Bee Leader course, and every coach at the club is DBS checked and safeguarding trained.
For our newest players
Thinking of coming? Here's what it's actually like
- You do not need to know anything about netball. Most people there won't either.
- You do not need special kit. Trainers you can run in, comfy clothes and a water bottle.
- You will get a ball. Lots of times. Not one turn at the end.
- There are games, and they are the fun kind, not the standing-in-a-line kind.
- If you drop it, nobody minds. Everybody drops it.
- You can bring a friend, or you can come on your own and make some.
Play, learn, thrive — together as a team.
Why join Grappenhall & Widnes
Plenty of places will run your child a netball session. A club is a different thing — and it's the difference that keeps children playing.
There's somewhere to go next
Bee Netball isn't a standalone class. Children move up through our age-group teams by school year — Petals, Daffodils, Irises, Blossoms — into league fixtures, the Flourish performance pathway, and on to our senior squads. Some of our seniors started here.
Friends from outside school
A club draws from across Warrington, Grappenhall, Widnes and Halton, so children meet others they'd never otherwise meet. For a lot of families that turns out to matter more than the netball.
Parents are part of it
For our youngest groups we ask a parent or guardian to stay at the venue, and you're welcome to watch every week. Plenty of our parents end up helping out, and one or two end up coaching.
A proper club behind it
England Netball affiliated, with qualified coaches, a committee, a safeguarding lead and insurance — all the unglamorous things that mean your child is looked after properly.
Questions parents ask us
What age is Bee Netball for?
Reception to Year 4. England Netball designed the programme for children roughly 5–11, and we're running it for our younger end of that. Children in Year 5 and above are very welcome — they'd join one of our age-group teams instead, which is the right level for them.
Does my child need to have played netball before?
No — the programme assumes they haven't. Bee Netball starts at throwing and catching a ball, and coaches teach the game from the very beginning. Most children arrive having never played.
Does my child need kit?
Not to start. Trainers they can run in, comfortable clothes and a water bottle are plenty for the taster sessions and for a good while afterwards. Club kit is available through the club shop when you want it, but nobody needs it on day one.
Do I have to stay while my child plays?
Yes, for this age group we ask a parent or guardian to remain at the venue. You're very welcome to watch — most parents do.
Where and when are the sessions?
Bee Netball runs at both club hubs, in Warrington and in Widnes, from September. The days, times and venues for each hub are coming soon — we'll publish them on this page as soon as they're confirmed. In the meantime, book a taster and we'll come straight back to you with them.
Is it just for girls?
No — Bee Netball is for girls and boys alike. Come along to a taster session and we'll talk you through what happens after it.
What happens after Bee Netball?
Children move up through our age-group teams by school year and start playing league fixtures, with the Flourish performance pathway alongside for those who want to push on. The player pathway lays the whole thing out, all the way to our senior squads.
Come and give it a go
Two free sessions, no kit and no commitment. Tell us your child's school year and which hub suits you, and we'll let you know exactly where and when to turn up.