It would appear that the league was formed following a Winter Tournament held on 15 January 1978, which was organized by Jo Satchell. When speaking with Jo, she recalled that it was a wet, damp and cold day in Dorchester and she would never have believed that this one, small tournament would be the life breath of what is now the South West Dorset Netball League. On that cold, rainy day in 1978, 10 teams entered, with Bridport winning and Radipole runners-up. Jo continued to be the leading light in the launch of our league (and as she continued to be for the West Dorset County for 30 years). For this, and her continued hard work and commitment to netball over the years, we offer her our sincere gratitude. Other remarkable contributions to the league include Denise Camp, who’s final contribution after many years of service to the league and netball in the South West, was to bequeath a sum of money to Netball Dorset, in order to financially support trainee coaches on their journey to becoming qualified, which has supported countless coaches across Dorset. Bob Pitt, umpire extraordinaire and Umpiring Secretary to the League for many years, affectionately remembered for his meticulous typewriting skills, was another league stalwart. Bob Pitt is still honoured by the league in our Bob Pitt Umpire’s Player of the Year award.
As the years have progressed, new leaders and dedicated contributors have emerged. Our Leagues current Junior Development Officer, Kelly Browne, has played in the SWDNL since she was a young school girl (we won’t say how old she is now – but its many, many years). Kelly has held almost every role on the Committee at some or other point, is a qualified umpire assessor, coach, B award umpire, Asst Coach at Team Bath and many other amazing netball things that would take hours to write out. Suffice it to say, Kelly is a pillar of the netball community and her contribution to netball in Dorset has been profound and impactful in the best possible way.
The league games have been played at various venues :
Wyvern School , Dorchester School , Westham, YAC, Weymouth Grammar School (now Budmouth) and Royal Manor School .
The first Presentation Dance attracted a crowd of 147 on 12th September 1981 at Nino’s Function Room tickets were priced at £1. Other venues for the presentation evening have included the Pavilion, Weymouth Working Mens Club, The Russell Hotel, Mirage, The Centenary Club, Willowbed Hall, The Hotel Rembrandt and The Golf Club.
In the late 80’s, the League had grown to 32 teams with 4 divisions. The current venue of one floodlight court at the YAC just couldn’t accommodate the league anymore. The committee set to work to provide courts for the league. A target was set for 30,000 which was needed to surface and install floodlights at the existing courts at Budmouth School . Fundraising events were organized by teams who were given free training court time for their efforts. Denise Camp and Christine Gould applied for grants, and the overall project provided us with the four floodlit courts and changing facilities. The various sponsored events included quiz nights, car boot sales and a race night.
At the beginning of 1993 the League set up a partnership with Budmouth Technology College with funding from the Foundation for Sports & Arts, West Dorset District Council and Chickerell Parish Council. Two additional new courts were opened by Jean Cockerell, Chairperson of WDDC on Sunday 13th June 1993. The England U21 team held an exhibition match, followed by a league tournament.
And now, 2008, 30 years later, as part of Budmouth Technology College’s re-vamp, we will soon be playing on 6 new courts which are, ironically, situated in the location of the original courts!