Merthyr Ladies Netball Club are preparing to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

PE teacher Rebecca Pilarz founded the club during March 2008 and says: “The last few years have been so busy.

“As we approach our 10 year anniversary I look back with such great pride and honour at what my family, friends, local community and Welsh Netball have allowed me to achieve.

“I love my club. We are a family and I look forward to the future with a great sense of achievement, excitement and pride.”

When Rebecca returned home from university there were limited opportunities to play netball in Merthyr and she took action.

After hiring a sports hall, Rebecca borrowed bibs and balls, invited friends to join her and 20 women showed up.

Merthyr Ladies trained weekly, joined the A470 Netball League and lost 64-4 in their first match against Caerphilly.

They stuck at it, worked on fitness and skills, and within two years the club had had A and B teams, while they created a junior section.

Merthyr won the A470 League in their second season, a measure of how hard the players worked and how quickly they improved.

There are now 10 teams for a range of ages in their 10th year supported by a committed group of coaches, players and parents who help the club grow.

They have also provided mascots for the Welsh senior squad and Superleague club Celtic Dragons.

Merthyr are planning a week of celebrations during March when all age groups will be involved in a different activity each evening.

The final event of their anniversary week will be a dinner and dance on Saturday, March 10 – and then Merthyr will look ahead to the next 10 years.