History of SETNA
A brief look at the history of our association and those who helped to establish it to become the great organisation it is today.SETNA History
In the early 1960s a few teams, mainly representing large employers in the area at the time including: Bata, Thames Board Mills, Stork, Headleys and Jurgens started a competitive netball league. Originally matches were played across Thurrock including ‘old’ Quarry Hill and ‘old’ West Thurrock primary schools as well as in the car parks of local firms who kitted them out so games could be played.
After a few successful years, and with more teams getting involved, a group of people including Jean Jones, Margaret King, Marlene Morton-Holmes, Barbara Velander, Evelyn Hayward and Jane Reed decided to apply to England Netball for County status. The creation of SETNA allowed them to enter a county team into regional competitions.
Netball continued to grow in Thurrock and in the late 90s SETNA started looking for a partner to build a netball centre. Following discussions with Thurrock Council it was decided Hassenbrook School (now Mossbourne Portside) would be ideal as they had sufficient space to build eight courts. A lottery grant was applied for and SETNA set about raising the required contribution of circa. £80,000. It took a couple of years, and it wasn’t plain sailing – the courts had to be resurfaced a couple of times before they were signed off!
We now have over 1,800 members playing for over 30 clubs in Thurrock and beyond, representation in East Region Junior and Senior Leagues and a Thurrock Essex Performance Development Pathway. All supported by an army of volunteers, coaches, umpires, scorers, assessors, tutors and mentors without whom done of this could be delivered – thank you everyone.