The number of clubs playing under the Workington Town banner have grown with the announcement of a netball team.

The Herons will be joining leading ladies football side Workington Reds Ladies in changing to the blue and white of Workington Town and their name along with it.

A spokesperson for Workington Town said: “We are delighted to announce that successful local ladies netball team The Herons will come under the Workington Town sporting umbrella by renaming as Workington Town Netball.

“In a ground breaking first for the club we will support, assist and help grow the team and sport whilst they still retain operational independence playing under our brand, crest and club colours.”

The team operate on the netball courts of West Cumbria, playing regular games on Monday’s and Tuesday’s throughout the year.

Players from The Herons have already been involved with teams associated with the club in other areas such as the Workington Town RLFC Ladies team, Workington Town Women FC development squads.

The spokesperson added: “The relationship is a strong, positive one which we hope will flourish as we continue to impact the sporting communities that we are part of.”

Both Workington Town RLFC and Workington Town Netball extended their thanks to Graeme Phillips of West Cumbria Engineering Ltd for becoming main kit sponsor for the next 2 years and Paul Scott of the Renew business group for reaching out and supporting them with this venture.

Graeme Phillips, Managing Director at West Cumbria Engineering Ltd had the following to say: “Traditionally, sport has been dominated by men, both in terms of participation and governance however with the rise in awareness of women’s sport through the recent women’s success in football, netball and rugby the increasing number of women’s participation will help widen perspectives, bring in new ideas, and reach new audiences.

“My two sons play rugby league (ex-Town players) which gave them fantastic opportunities to travel around the world playing the sport they love and now that I have 3 granddaughters I want them to have the same opportunities in sport as my sons had.”