A Partnership with Gateshead College and Netball Hong Kong

SportLink International is working with Gateshead College’s Sports Academy and Netball Hong Kong China to introduce netball as a competitive sport into a number of Hebei schools, colleges and universities. While netball is one of the most popular female-focused sports in the world it is almost unknown in Mainland China – we aim to start changing change that.

In summer 2024 Gateshead College coaches, experienced at National level in the UK and overseas, ran a series of camps for primary school children. The programme was somewhat restricted due to the curtailment of travel following catastrophic flooding in Northern China.  Nevertheless Chinese sports teachers and players quickly developed an enthusiasm for the game which we continue to nurture. Easter 2025 saw a second set of camps, this time also involving coaches from Netball Hong Kong China and focused on involving college and university players as well as those from schools. These camps culminated with the first Hebei Netball Tournaments being held in Qinhuangdao.
As well as enthusing a new generation of girls to play the sport, the camps and tournaments also gave students from Gateshead College valuable experience for the completion of their sports qualifications.

With Hong Kong being awarded the 2026 Asian Netball Championships we expect to see a heightened level of interest in the sport.

 

Link to Gateshead College press release in ‘Latest’

​