Copeland Netball League shut out of Whitehaven Sports Centre after 30 years of Tuesday nights Copeland Netball League told it can't return to Whitehaven Sports Centre after its refit
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
After more than 30 years of Tuesday nights at Flatt Walks, the Copeland Netball League's been told the done-up hall's too small for a proper court, so it's off to Cleator Moor.
This one's for netball players and their families round Copeland, and anybody who uses Whitehaven Sports Centre at Flatt Walks.
The Copeland Netball League, 11 teams strong, has played at Whitehaven Sports Centre every Tuesday night for over 30 years. Then on 14 October, after a £400,000 makeover, they were told they can't use the sports hall any more, the Whitehaven News says.
Everyone Active, who took over running Cumberland's sports centres in April 2026, told the league the Whitehaven hall's now too small for a standard netball court, and pointed them at Cleator Moor instead.
Amy Friend, who plays and officiates in the league, said: "Disappointed is a severe understatement. A community leisure centre transformation should expand local sports participation, not permanently lock out an active women's league."
She said Cleator Moor "has never been a venue that we've used because it is further for the majority of players to travel to", and added: "Any additional travel time makes sport less accessible to women." Players have complained to Cumberland Council and to Everyone Active.
Tom Rice, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: "We are pleased to say the league will be hosted at Cleator Moor Activity Centre from next month, a facility which offers a modern netball space for players and spectators to enjoy."
The refit, done in September, was part of £400,000 spent across Whitehaven and Cockermouth. Whitehaven's got a bigger gym, a better gymnastics area and a resurfaced hall for badminton and pickleball, plus an inflatable obstacle course for the kids coming in November.
The league held its season back till October because of the work, and played at St Bees for the first three weeks.
What you can do: if you play or follow netball round here, tell Everyone Active and your Cumberland councillor what you think.
The 11-team Copeland Netball League, which has played at Whitehaven Sports Centre for more than 30 years, has been told the refurbished hall no longer meets netball court size rules and it will move to Cleator Moor.
This is for netball players and their families across Copeland, and anyone who uses Whitehaven Sports Centre at Flatt Walks.
The Copeland Netball League, which has 11 teams, has played at Whitehaven Sports Centre every Tuesday night for more than 30 years. On 14 October, after a £400,000 refurbishment, the league was told it could no longer use the sports hall, the Whitehaven News reports.
Everyone Active, which took over the contract for Cumberland's sports centres in April 2026, told the league the Whitehaven hall no longer meets the size requirements for a standard netball court, and offered the hall at Cleator Moor instead.
Amy Friend, a player and match official in the league, said: "Disappointed is a severe understatement. A community leisure centre transformation should expand local sports participation, not permanently lock out an active women's league."
She said Cleator Moor "has never been a venue that we've used because it is further for the majority of players to travel to", adding: "Any additional travel time makes sport less accessible to women." Players have complained to Cumberland Council and Everyone Active.
Tom Rice, contract manager for Everyone Active, said: "We are pleased to say the league will be hosted at Cleator Moor Activity Centre from next month, a facility which offers a modern netball space for players and spectators to enjoy."
The refurbishment, finished in September, was part of a £400,000 investment across centres in Whitehaven and Cockermouth. It includes an extended gym, a better gymnastics area and a resurfaced hall for badminton and pickleball, with an inflatable obstacle course for juniors due in November.
The league delayed its fixtures until October because of the work and used facilities at St Bees for the first three weeks.
What you can do: if you play or support netball in Copeland, you can share your views with Everyone Active and your Cumberland councillor.