East Midlands Tornadoes have landed the backing of the Allison Homes Group

A flourishing Bourne-based netball club is continuing to go from strength-to-strength.

East Midlands Tornadoes were formed less than two years ago under the leadership of coach and local business owner Lorna Clayden.

The senior team of seven men and 10 women qualified for the Netball Nationals in 2024 and have just completed their first season in the Central England Men's and Mixed Netball Association (EMMNA) National League.

The team showed clear progress across the season and chances to build up their experiences.

They also competed at the EMMNA Nationals Tournament, a testament to their hard work and growth.

Lorna said: "I absolutely love coaching these guys, their passion is the same as mine, the hunger is there too."

As well as the senior team, where the average player age is 17, the club has grown to include a mixed mini squad providing netball from age nine, and a junior squad starting at age 13.

Lorna, a qualified umpire and level two coach, was inspired to create the club 18-20 months ago, following her son, Ben's, success in the sport.

She said: "Ben's achievements and passion for the sport is amazing.

"In 2023, he was invited to play at the nationals in the Mixed Invitational team but three days before was swapped to play in the men's team for Norfolk United (the team is currently fourth in the country).

"Ben won Goal Attack of Nationals 2023 and, from then on, his passion for netball grew even more."

Ben still plays for Norfolk, but his successes inspired Lorna to create a mixed club locally that would allow others the same opportunity for success.

Lorna is a former estate agent who, when the Covid pandemic hit, swapped her 18-year career in property to launch a corporate and public facing catering business.

She now runs catering van The Snack Shack in the Bourne area.

Alongside running her business and coaching three times a week, Lorna, the management team and player’s parents are tasked with fundraising.

They have recently landed the backing of the Allison Homes Group which has netted the organisation much-needed kit and funding.

Its donation of £1,200 has gone towards branded tracksuit pants, new match balls and bibs, plus funding matchday fees.

Lorna added: "We do a lot of fundraising to help us along the way but the amazing sponsorship from Allison Homes Group has really boosted us.

"It is just wonderful and it means our fundraising can be used for nationals entry which is nearly £1,000 plus entry to the National League which is £300."

Julia Brass, group head of marketing, commented: "We heard about East Midlands Tornadoes from our group facilities manager Andrea Harvey, who is also part of the management team for the club.

"She explained about its formation and rise to success, and we were so inspired we just had to step in and support the club."

Andrea, who is based at Allison Homes’ Peterborough office, has first-hand knowledge of the commitment of the club and its coach.

Her daughter Tula Harvey, now 17, has been playing netball since primary school and joined East Midlands Tornadoes at its inception.

She said: "I am so proud of what the club has achieved, and we are all hugely grateful to Allison Homes for its support.

"I may have championed the club for sponsorship but it was the commitment and dedication of Tornadoes that really won the funding."

The club's next fundraising target will allow them to buy hoodies for the whole club and kit for the management team.

They train at Witham Hall School at Witham on the Hill.