Future looks bright for former Saints

WHEN their former team folded, the players refused to go down with them and decided to form their own side. The result - P. and J. Conservatories, who are already making great strides in Division Two in just their second season of their new life.

P. and J. rose from the ashes of Saints Netball Club, which came to an end last season.

Club captain Joy Knight secured sponsorship from her husband, Paul, who established both P. and J. Conservatories and P. and J. Plumbing Services five years ago. Sponsorship has helped provide the team with kit - black shirts and skirts - court fees, balls and first-aid box.

And in their first season, the club only narrowly failed to gain promotion to Division One.

Skipper Knight pointed out that it is a fairly mature team, with an average age of 36 (youngest 32 and oldest 46).

'We all wanted to play without having the commitment of training,' she said.

'It's not exactly the best way of doing things but it seems to work for us.'

And work it must, as the early part of the season has seen P. and J. win all their four matches.

The aim of the club is to go out and enjoy each game, have fun, do its sponsors proud and, the players hope, win. They play very much as a team.

'There is a camaraderie among us,' said Knight.

'Encouragement comes from all corners of the court and we play our hearts out for each other.'

They lost GA Cammie Matthews at the end of last season to a new life in New Zealand, but her replacement, Natalie Gilman, has been in excellent form.

P. and J.'s defence is also strong, with Linda Gavet and Cathy Smith playing well. Coaching on court comes from the experienced Janet McCurdie.

'We look forward to any chance we can get of playing English opposition. We had the opportunity of playing against BNP from London as a pre-season match, which was organised by Joan Ozanne, secretary of the GNA, which we found to be fun and educational,' said Knight.

Various team members play in the Summer Netball League and Knight, Gavet and Jayne Giubilea helped make up the team, Misfits, in the recent 2004 Guernsey Open Netball Tournament in October. In that they faced strong opposition, did not disgrace themselves and all three confirmed it was a valuable experience.

P. and J. are always willing to take on new players, with the aim of possibly having a second team in the future.

* Knight would be pleased to hear from players of any age. She can be contacted on 252791.