Bridgend Hawks: Built on Netball, Family and Community
“Bridgend Hawks were founded by three sisters and a friend, four women with a shared love of netball and a passion for building the best club possible.
“Mental wellbeing is a huge part of what drives us at Bridgend Hawks. For many of us, netball is an escape from the pressures of everyday life. It’s a place where we can come together, support one another and feel part of one united club. The Hawks family means so much to some of our players that a few have even had Hawks tattoos!
“From the beginning, we’ve also made sure the club has a strong and responsible foundation. We’ve put a number of our members through first aid training, appointed safeguarding officers and established a club treasurer to ensure transparency for all our members.”
Bridgend Hawks were born out of passion and a love for netball. The club has a fitting story of family and community.
A special team
There is something unique about a local sports club. It provides a platform for people to play the game they love while being part of something bigger than themselves. The Hawks are a special club, and it didn’t take long for them to make an impact on the court.
“What makes Bridgend Hawks special is the safe, supportive environment we’ve created where every woman can feel comfortable being herself. Women in sport are incredibly important to us, and seeing how much the club has grown after just one year has been amazing.
“Giving back is also a huge part of who we are. Each year, with the support of our committee and members, we host a charity netball tournament and choose a different charity to support. This year, we raised an incredible £3,600 for bigmoose, a mental health charity.
“But Hawks is also about having fun! Whether we’re making silly TikToks, fundraising, organising quiz nights or getting together socially, there’s always plenty of laughter. We genuinely feel like one big family.
“We also love supporting our local community. This year, we delivered Easter eggs to the children’s ward at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and, more recently, donated food, drinks and snacks to our local fire station in recognition of their efforts. The fact that we consistently have a large waiting list of women wanting to join Bridgend Hawks means so much to us.
“Our first season was one to remember. We entered three teams, which finished 1st, 2nd and 4th in their respective divisions. As we head into our second season in September, we’ve expanded to four teams, and we’re buzzing to get back on court.
“We’re competitive when the whistle blows, but we’re also each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We play for one another, support one another, and definitely know how to laugh along the way. For us, that’s the perfect balance.”
For the club, it’s all about giving back, which reflects the values it’s built on.
Values and community
“Our core values are women empowering women, kindness and positivity.
“We reinforce those values throughout everything we do because they’re especially important in a competitive sporting environment. There will always be good days and bad days, wins and losses, but whatever happens, we back each other and lift each other.”
These strong values build a steadfast foundation for a successful club. The Bridgend netball scene is truly growing, and the sense of community is clear.
“The Bridgend netball scene is thriving and continues to grow. The league is spread across four divisions, with every division competitive in its own right.
“There’s also a great sense of community within the league. While we naturally want to compete and perform at our best, there’s plenty of support between teams on league nights. It’s great to be part of a growing netball community where everyone shares the same passion for the sport.”
The future
Bridgend Hawks have already created a great history, and the future looks bright.
“Our ambition is to keep building on everything we’ve achieved so far while staying true to what Bridgend Hawks is all about.
“We’ll continue to host our annual charity tournaments, particularly after receiving such incredible feedback and support from the community. We also want to continue providing mentoring opportunities for new umpires, helping to develop and support the future of the sport.”
Results will come and go, but the connection between the Hawks and their community can last for generations. That bond is the heartbeat of the club, and it could carry them towards an incredibly exciting future.
Curious about who’s behind the content? Check out our About Us page or visit our Join The Team page to get involved.