GIRLS aimed high as netball camps were held at Notre Dame High during this week's school October break.

The sessions for pupils in primary six, seven and first year secondary students proved very popular as youngsters honed their skills under the eye of expert coaches.

The sessions ran on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Claire Munn, active schools co-ordinator, said there was also an important social aspect to the programme too.

Claire told the Telegraph: "It's good to keep them active and give them a chance to meet girls from different schools.

"There is a massive interest in netball but in sport in general just now - there's definitely a massive boom.

"I think lockdown has made people realise that these things were out there that they didn't access before.

"Now that all the restrictions have eased they want to take part."

When asked about girls in sport and the fact that it is sometimes difficult to keep them engaged as they grow up, Claire said that netball has always been an exception.

She added: "Netball has always bucked the trend.

"It's a majority female sport, played in an environment with other females.

"It's always good to get young people into the habit of taking part in a sport and in something that they enjoy."

Claire says she has spotted plenty of potential stars in Inverclyde.

She said: "There is a lot of talent here, especially among girls who have never played the sport before.

"Obviously schools have just got back to running extra-curricular activities - some girls haven't played for two years."