A junior netball club will be kicking up a storm in Stevenage. The new Stevenage Storm Junior Netball Club was officially launched at the John Henry Newman Leisure Centre. Town mayor Brian Underwood and Alan Fuller from MBDA cut the ribbon to create a leg

A junior netball club will be kicking up a storm in Stevenage.

The new Stevenage Storm Junior Netball Club was officially launched at the John Henry Newman Leisure Centre.

Town mayor Brian Underwood and Alan Fuller from MBDA cut the ribbon to create a legacy for the netballing youngsters of Stevenage.

The netball club has been an ongoing project since the appointment of Julia Burrows, netball development coach at Barclay School, in December.

The club is supported by the Stevenage SSCO Partnership and Stevenage Borough Council.

Volunteers and young leaders have been helping the development of the club and it is hoped that there are more people who would like to get involved.

The club is being held for the summer term at the Heathcote School - 4.30-5.30pm (Years Four and Five) and 5.30-6.30pm (Years Six, Seven and Eight).

If anyone would like to sponsor this new high-profile club, please get in touch with Jill Eaton on 07901 603292.

* Marriotts Sports College hosted the Stevenage Primary School Netball Festival in blazing sunshine.

The festival was a great way for youngsters to let their hair down after a busy SATs week in their schools. The winners of the large schools' festival were Longmeadow Primary School with the winners of the small schools' festival being Broom Barns.

Trevor Longhurst, the recently retired headteacher of Longmeadow School which used to host the tournament traditionally on FA Cup final morning, was guest of honour and presented the trophies.

* Young leaders were recognised by their town for community volunteering.

The annual mayor's reception for young leaders in Stevenage took place at the council offices.

The mayor and executive councillor Sue Myson congratulated the youngsters from Marriotts, Thomas Alleyne, Nobel, Heathcote and Barclay schools for their contribution to community volunteering. The youngsters are part of the partnership's Step into Sport programme.

Jill Eaton, partnership development manager, said: "It is hoped that some of the youngsters here will literally step into our clubs and community to become our coaches and volunteers of the future."

Councillor Myson spoke about the importance of volunteering, especially with London 2012 on the horizon.

* National judo champion Jodie Carter went to Camps Hill School to deliver a masterclass in judo for interested girls.

Working with Stevenage Judo Club, Jodie delivered a session of judo to a group of eager young ladies who were interested to find out more about the sport.

There was an opportunity for the girls to ask Jodie questions and also for them to go along to the club if they felt it was the sport for them.