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Fund-raiser by sports club to help netball players participate in one-day tournament
One of Abu Dhabi's oldest expatriate sports clubs is holding a fundraising "Bash" tomorrow night at the Corniche Hospital Breakers social club. Abu Dhabi Downs Netball League players are raising money to enable them to attend a one-day netball tournament next month.
As well as a raffle, three framed paintings created by children of Abu Dhabi's Future Centre Special Needs School and Rehabilitation Centre will be auctioned. Proceeds from the paintings will be divided between Abu Dhabi Downs and the Future Centre. Commencing at 8.00pm, the tickets are priced at Dh100, including buffet dinner.
If anyone attending the "Bash" is interested in later joining the Abu Dhabi Downs League, she would be welcomed into its long tradition by the current 85 players from several different countries. However, it is for ladies only.
The game of netball was first played in Abu Dhabi in 1976, when Linda Taylor, an ex-England international captain started playing at Al Khubairat school.
Initially play was on sand courts and car parks, but so popular did it prove that four years later the Abu Dhabi Downs League was officially formed.
Throughout the last two decades the Abu Dhabi Downs have gone from strength to strength, evolving into a formidable opponent for other netball teams in the region. Playing in the Inter Gulf competition against teams from round the Gulf, the Abu Dhabi Downs have notched up an impressive three wins, three runner up and two third places since 1991.
The official playing season runs from November to April, coinciding with the cooler weather. For those interested in joining, league sessions are held at the Club on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 10.00pm. According to Karen de Bruyn, Abu Dhabi Downs' manager, "All standards of players are welcome. It's fun and friendly but professional."
Five teams play in the league from which players have been selected to form two Abu Dhabi teams that will be playing in the forthcoming Inter Gulf
tournament.
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