Congratulations go out to two of the clubs rising stars - Natalie Simpson and Laura Maloney - who were successful in being selected for the Players Regional Talent Development Programme.

The first team registered their first win of the season in a hard fought match against old rivals Nottingham City.

Having an almost full squad to choose from meant that, for the first time this season, the team started with options in most positions.

The game started 15 minutes late as some of the Nottingham team were delayed, and it was the Imps who started the brighter going into a quick 3 point lead and holding out to win the quarter 9-6. The scores reflecting how tight the defence was in both teams.

The second quarter was even tougher than the first and the team had to dig deep to play their own game, particularly when hit by a potentially serious injury to Lucie Thacker and a re-shuffle in defence. Despite this, the Imps held firm to win the quarter 12-9 and go in at half time with a 6 goal lead.

Nottingham came out hard in the 3rd quarter and their shots started to go in from all over the D, hardly missing a single shot throughout the quarter and battling back to draw level going into the final stage of the game.

With everything to play for, the Imps showed their ability in the last quarter, playing good, controlled netball, focusing on the basics and taking hold of the game to achieve a deserved victory 35-32. All the players should be proud of the way they played for each other and use the victory as a springboard to start moving up the table.

The under 19's team played their first game of the seaon against Seasiders. The team were unlucky with late withdrawals due to injury - Laura is now banned from doing James Bond impersonations! - and players not available due to work commitments.

The patched together team included at least 4 players playing out of position and 2 players who were only cleared to play the evening before the match. As the team also included one regional player, they also started the game with a 10 goal deficit.

All in all, the players put in a fine, battling performance drawing the first quarter and winning the following three. But, in the end, the team couldn't quite knock off the deficit and, although scoring more than Seasiders (the actual score ending 29-24), with the 10 goals added to the Seasiders score lost the game 29 - 34.

All the players deserve credit for putting in 100% effort, playing in unfamiliar positions without complaint and almost making it a victory against all the odds.

The first game of new season got underway on Sunday the 20th September 2009. The 1st team leading off in the East Midlands Regional League Division 1 against Northants JM's.

Unfortunately, the early start to the 09/10 season meant the team suffered from players not being available due to holidays and this coupled with the short pre-season meant the team didn't really hit the ground running, losing the game 53-39. There were, however, plenty of positives from the match and, with a full squad to choose from, the team can move forward now into the challenges ahead.

The club AGM was held on the 29th June 2009, and a new committee membership was agreed for the coming year.

For the first time, the senior and junior sections of the club were united with joint roles in many positions.

Laura Hudson has replaced the outgoing Eileen Cooper as chairperson, and everyone at both the junior and senior club would like to thank Eileen for her many years of dedication and hard work in making Lincoln City Netball Club the successful club it is today.

The full AGM minutes are available to download from here.

Officers/ Committee members for 2009/2010

Chairperson

Laura Hudson

Vice Chairperson

Maria Shaw

Treasurer

Rachel Simpson

Secretary

Catherine Taylor

Affiliation Secretary

Anna Gilbert/Jill Lormor

Fixtures Secretary

Rachel Henderson

Umpire Secretary

Jo Ticehurst

CAPS Accreditation Officer

Carol Fletcher

Child Protection Officer

Emma Noble assisted by Catherine Taylor

Kit Manager

Angela White

Publicity Officer

Paul Cowling

Social Secretary

TBC

U16s Team Manager

Catherine Taylor assisted by Jill Lormor

U15s Team Manger

Gail Gilbert assisted by Liz Grewcrock

U14s Team Manager

Fiona Judge assisted by Sam Coy

U12s Team Manager

Becky Coy/Emma Noble

U11 Team Manager

TBC