THE MP for Eddisbury has been lending her hand to netball as part of national scheme to get more women taking up sport.

Antoinette Sandbach MP took to the court last Tuesday, July 10 to take part in a Netball England event, part of the governing body's Biggest Summer of Netball campaign.

The campaign is designed to inspire women and girls to get active and try their hand at netball in response to the Vitality Netball World Cup taking place in Liverpool this month.

The competition presents a significant opportunity to highlight the opportunities for people in Eddisbury to take part in netball, whether they are returning to the sport or about to start their first practice session.

Ms Sandbach competed alongside other British MPs and visiting parliamentarians from Australia and New Zealand, supported by Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, which aims to get more women and girls active.

She said: “Sport England insight shows us that women are less likely to be physically active than men and that’s why turning the inspiration from Vitality Netball World Cup into participation is so important.

"The netball day was a great opportunity to get out on the court and hopefully raise the importance of being physically active up the agenda.

"With the right support we hope to see many more women and girls taking part in regular activity inspired by the 2019 summer of sport.”

Sport England’s Kate Dale added: “This Girl Can was launched to help build women’s confidence and overcome judgement when exercising and taking part in sport, since we started this campaign, we have seen an increasing number of girls and women being active.

"There are 3.9 million women who inspired to either get active or take steps toward being active as a result of the This Girl Can campaign.

"The event was about bringing people together, enjoying some fun competition and encouraging others to give it a go, but with every competition there has to be a winner and this time the New Zealand team took home the trophy!”