IT was a netball free-for-all as 120 children descended on Flegg High school for its first ever Hi5 netball tournament. The games, which were held on Thursday, saw 15 teams from nine local primary schools battle for the chance to compete at the county finals at UEA on Monday.

IT was a netball free-for-all as 120 children descended on Flegg High school for its first ever Hi5 netball tournament.

The games, which were held on Thursday, saw 15 teams from nine local primary schools battle for the chance to compete at the county finals at UEA on Monday.

It was an all-Woodlands School affair in the final, with its first team beating the second team 2-1 in the fading light after they had knocked out Martham Primary School in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Herman Primary school won the play off in a competition that saw both year 5 and 6 boys and girls playing in the five-strong teams in seven minute matches. There was even an appearance from school mascot Archie the bear.

PE teacher and sports co-ordinator and organiser of the event Alison Cropley said: “It's been fantastic because we've had teams from all around Great Yarmouth competing.

“Such events are important because they promote a healthy active lifestyle - we even had a lady from England Netball to show the children pathways into sport.

“Getting the primary school pupils to come to Flegg High School also allows them to meet with pupils in the years above, so when they join us in year 7 they don't see high school as a threat.”

Among the year 10 and 11 Flegg High school students umpiring the matches, which began at 2.30pm and finished at 4.25pm, was PE GCSE student Jess Bane.

She said: “I haven't umpired before but I really enjoyed it. It was a good experience meeting the children and being able to engage them in sports because when you come up into high school you have to do more of that kind of thing.

“It was quite easily actually and the children were well behaved- they really respected your decision. I didn't get to umpire beyond the group stages because the year 11s do that but I want a career in sports so it's all good experience.”

Fellow umpire Jasmine Wood, 14, agreed: “I never took part in anything like it when I was younger but I'm glad I did get involved and it was easier than I thought it would be.”

The Hi5 games, introduced by the England Netball, are part of a national effort to introduce netball to younger pupils.

The games include rule changes like removing the wingers and requiring players to switch positions.

They also require that for every squad of eight, there are a maximum of three boys.