Pickard Properties is proud to announce that it is once again supporting the Leeds University Union Netball club (LUUNC) ahead of its new season.

By doubling the amount of sponsorship this year, we hope to enable the already successful team to even greater heights.

LUUNC is passionate about its players and aims to help Leeds students progress as young athletes in the and is dedicated to the development of its players in both a tactical and physical sense.

We spoke to Olivia Adams from the team, asking what the guys had planned for the future and how Pickard Properties have helped in the past:

Pickards: How important is Pickard Properties’ sponsorship to the LUU netball team?

Olivia: LUUNC could not run without Pickards sponsorship.

Due to unforeseen funding complications this year, the Pickards agreement to further support us has never been more vital. It allows us to travel to games, host competitions and maintain good quality equipment whilst also cementing our reputation as a socially responsible club.

Pickards’ generosity with merchandise not only attracts members to sign up at freshers fair but also rewards our girls throughout the season.

For example, this year our committee received new hoodies and each member of the club received a water bottle and lanyard. As a club we cannot thank Pickard enough for their continued support and we hope to carry forward this relationship until the foreseeable future.

Pickards: Are there any special events happening with the team this year/season?

Olivia: Following the success of our turn out to the first team game last year, LUUNC have been given the opening match for Varsity 2017. This is a special occasion because we go head to head with our biggest rivals Leeds Beckett University Netball Club in a day that allows us to showcase our talent.

The day extends much more than just a game of netball to us because as a club it is an opportunity for us to consolidate a bond both on and off court. Throughout the year we have other events including ladies day and alumni day where we continue to build our reputation around the university and celebrate women’s sports.

We finish the season with an end of year dinner that congratulates the hard work and dedication from our girls over the last 8 months and is a great time for us to have some fun.

Do you feel that women’s teams get less support than men’s?

Olivia: Across all sports we feel there is along way to go for women still. Within Netball we feel that there needs to be more development as International netball games are not televised on the main channels and professional players are still not paid.

For example, this has affected one of our own players who plays both professionally and for the University and doesn’t receive financial backing. We believe this is shocking as netball is the number one played sport in the UK by females.

Pickard’s commitment to reducing this disparity between the importance placed on male and female sport through funding women’s sports teams is of great value to us as a club. To have support from a reputable business in the local area is vital to our stance as a club, as well showing our members that they as sports women are valued by the Leeds community.

Pickard Properties will also be sponsoring Leeds Beckett’s men’s football team this season.