42 December 2011 BTM happeningssportsrecreation Alison Coldridge The Bahrain Netball League has a festive sporting treat ready for you to watch this month, acting as the interval to an already successful season. Christmas is celebrated by the DHL Bahrain Netball League (BNL) with a festive fund-raiser held this month. The event is a great chance to support the all-female netball teams and see what women really are made of in the sporting world! The festive event will see the BNL team members show their skills on the court whilst raising money for local charities. Open to all of the netball league members, the participants will pay a small fee to enter the competition, and players can also be sponsored by friends, family and onlookers to ensure as many funds as possible are raised. Titled as the ‘tinsel tournament’ the game will definitely have a festive feel; “The tournament will be complete with celebratory treats for both those playing and watching, including seasonal mince pies and mulled wine,” outlines Helen Edwards, the event’s organiser. Game heads on for the new season This season has seen an upsurge in action in the BNL with eight teams participating in over 20 games already played over the last two months, as part of the 2011/2012 season. The BNL, affiliated to the Gulf Netball League, is one of the oldest netball leagues in the Middle East and all of the teams and games are based around the expatriate clubs including the Dilmun Club, The British Club and the Bahrain Rugby Football Club. Aside from the adults’ teams, the BNL also offers children the chance to learn a new sport and to have fun getting fit. “As well as the league, we also run junior netball, which is held at the Dilmun Club every Wednesday and the Rugby Club every Thursday. The kids love taking part and friendly competition is always in attendance!” says Helen. The BNL is also gearing up and training relentlessly for the Inter-Gulf 2012 tournament. Earlier this year, the DHL first team finished an impressive third place in the 25th edition of the tournament, held in Dubai, and this year the league is going all out to ensure another great placing. “Two highly qualified coaches are going to be brought over from Hong Kong to work with the squads during a weekend in January 2012. The focus of the weekend will be on skills and match play and not fitness. Fitness will be the responsibility of the individual player. We will also hope to organise a friendly training match at some point during the preparation for the tournament,” explains Kate Knapton, Bahrain’s Inter-Gulf coordinator for the 2012 event. E Visit www.netballbahrain.com. A Competitive Aim When? December 11 | Event? Charity netball tournament | Venue? Dilmun Club When? December 3 Event? Day/Night Golf Venue? Awali Golf Club Play seven holes by day and seven holes by night with luminous balls. E Call 17 756-770. When? December 3 Event? Horse riding championship Venue? Bahrain International Endurance Village Who will emerge as the winner of this prestigious contest? E Call 17 836-199. When? December 5 Event? Soccer championship Venue? National Stadium Soccer talents battle it out for the Sh. Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup. E Call 17 689-569. When? December 9 Event? Tennis championships Venue? Indian Club Final matches and prize-giving for the 63rd edition of the tournament. E Call 39 276-481 or 39-408-667. When? December 9 Event? Bahrain Marathon Relay Venue? All over Bahrain Organised by the Bahrain Round Table. Starts 10am at the BIC. E Visit www.brt1.net. When? December 10 Event? Soccer tournament Venue? Arsenal Soccer School The adults and staff take to the pitch to show the kids how it’s done. E Call 17 561-615. When? December 11 Event? Charity netball tournament Venue? Dilmun Club The DHL Bahrain Netball League plays a festive and fund-raising tinsel tournament. E Visit www.netballbahrain.com. When? December 12 Event? Half Iron Man triathlon Venue? Durrat Al Bahrain A fund-raising event including a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.2 km run. E Call 39 132-102. When? December 12 Event? Sprint triathlon Venue? Durrat Al Bahrain Watch or take part in a 750 m swim, 20 km bicycle ride and a 5 km run. E Call 39 132-102.
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