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16
Apr 2021
Many happy returners at Ripon City Netball Club
It was time for many happy returns at Ripon City Netball Club this week.
The spontaneous singing of 'Happy Birthday to You', signalled the arrival on court of Jackie Laugher.
For the mother of Olympic gold medal winning diver Jack, it was the sporting icing on the cake.
On a sunlit evening, she met with team mates she hadn't seen face-to-face for seven months.
Jackie told the Stray Ferret:
Jack, who won his diving gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had rung his mother earlier to wish her a happy birthday.
She said:
For Jack, the road to Olympic gold started at Ripon's Spa Baths where he was taught to swim by Sylvia Grice.
His sporting prowess was developed further at Ripon Grammar School, where he was taught by Sylvia's daughter and PE teacher Helen Mackenzie.
The connection between the families continues, as Helen is head coach at Ripon City Netball Club, where her daughter Amy is a rising star.
She said:
Club secretary Kirsteen Dixon who was present with her sister Lindsi Baldwin, said:
Covid lockdown saw the suspension of netball in September.
Ripon City, which plays in the Hambleton, Harrogate, York and North Yorkshire Ambassadors leagues is now preparing for games later this year.
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With teams named after birds of prey - Falcons, Kestrels, Ospreys, Eagles and Hawks - it's time to spread their wings once more.
As lockdown lifts further, many more will be flocking back to their Ripon Grammar School base.
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