A NETBALL event which took place on Boscombe Beach earlier this year will return next year, organisers have confirmed.

Following the success of the UK's first beach netball tournament, teams from across the UK will return to the town in 2017 to try their luck against other groups with a date soon to be released on the event's website.

This year's event saw two courts set up in Boscombe for teams to play on the sand with all proceeds going to the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

Anna Sharp, one of the tournament's organisers, said that the players loved competing with the sea as their backdrop.

She added: "We were also thrilled when Urban Beach at Boscombe offered to support us by providing a barbecue and Active Therapy South also offered our players free massages.

"It was a great day for all the players and the many people who turned out to watch and support them. So we’re now planning an even bigger and better tournament for next summer."

Emma Magson, who also helped to host the event, said: "Anna and I love playing netball and after seeing what a success beach netball is becoming in Australia and Hong Kong, we decided to go for it and try and arrange a tournament here in Dorset.

"We were pretty amazed by the response we got. As soon as we sent out an invitation to take part, teams came forward from all over, including London.

"The normal netball rules applied very loosely due to the fact we were playing on sand. It was very hard to penalise someone for ‘footwork’ for example and after a goal had been scored, play restarted from the back line, not the centre of the court.

"None of the players had positional bibs either, so it was in essence a bit of a free for all, but that only added to the fun and enjoyment of the event."

The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was set up in 2012 by Eve Went, Pam Jeffries and Leslie-May Harrison from Poole, to provide practical help for people and families affected by cancer. Funds raised stay within the county and help to fund individual grants for anything from a new specialist bed, to a wig following chemotherapy, childcare for someone undergoing treatment and even hospital car parking. Grants have also gone to Lewis Manning Hospice, Poole Hospital and the Bournemouth Leukaemia Fund.

Anne Rowland, DCCF fundraising manager, said: "We are so grateful to Emma and Anna for all their hard work on our behalf.

"Their tournament was amazing to watch and the money it has raised will make a real difference to cancer sufferers here in Dorset."

For more information on next year's event, go to BeachNetball.co.uk