Our native netball team, Manchester Thunder, and Bolton-based principal sponsor, AO, recently helped provide new kits to grassroots clubs in the region.
We love to see it.
Acting in collaboration not only with the local electrical retailer but with the team’s very own kit manufacturer and sportswear supplier, VX3, who design gear for all manner of disciplines, Manchester Thunder visited the Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield to visit some youth netball teams.
Surprising the girls at the popular Greater Manchester community sports venue – operated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) – a trio of different outfits from the North West and beyond were kitted out with jerseys, shorts, netball dresses, t-shirts and more.
Ribble Valley NC, Bangor’s Thundercats, and Chester, who were named North West Netball Club of the Year back in 2023, were all presented the boxes of brand-new netball kit.
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These training and match-ready sportswear packages were worth more than £500 each, with VX3 renowned for their top-quality products, particularly prominent in both netball and rugby.
With approximately 700,000 women and girls playing netball nationwide every year, and an estimated 3.1 million people playing the sport annually, it remains the highest female participation sport in the country.
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Multiple Manchester Thunder players were also in attendance on the day to help dish out the new kits, delighting youngsters who are no doubt hoping to follow in their footsteps one day.
Better still, not only were the kits bespoke to each club, but they also included tickets to a Thunder match, as well as an exclusive training session with the senior stars themselves.
Thundercats Under 12sRibble Valley U11sChester Netball ClubManchester Thunder presented netball kits to dozens of aspiring young players. (Credit: Supplied)
When it comes to the likes of Chester, the nearby netball team saw their previous season hit by multiple obstacles, including their summer club tournament, which typically serves as a key annual fundraiser, being called off due to adverse weather conditions.
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That being said, competitions and generous donations like these prove vital for spotting organisations up and down the UK.
Maya Nelson, Head Coach of Ribble’s under-11s squad, said of the heartwarming event: “Getting the kit means a lot to the club.
“I think the dress, especially with them being different to our usual kit, is a really nice touch, and it’s something that we can wear to competitions and different events, and feel a little bit special.
“We’re always trying to recycle kit through pre-loved sales, so it’s nice for the girls to be able to be gifted something new through the competition, and not having to wear second-hand kit. We were all absolutely buzzing and we couldn’t believe it.”
At the time of the launch, Arafa Heneghan, Director of Brand at AO, said: “We’re incredibly passionate about supporting young people and grassroots team sports at AO, so we’re thrilled to run this competition for the next generation of netball stars, alongside Manchester Thunder.
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“We know how much pride players take in their kits, so ten lucky teams getting the chance to create something bespoke with VX3 is really exciting.”
As official partners of the legendary AO Arena, the city’s iconic venues will also host the return of the England Netball team for an important international test series.
Featured Images — Supplied (via Manchester Thunder/AO)
Bolton
Watch the heart-warming moment rescue cats and dogs are gifted cosy beds ahead of Bonfire Night
Daisy Jackson
Bonfire Night can be a cause for celebration – unless, that is, you’re a cat or a dog.
Fireworks are an unpopular subject among pet owners and can be a living nightmare for cats and dogs.
And that’s why Online Home Shop (OHS) decided to donate cosy beds to all the cats and dogs at Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter.
The popular online retailer took us along to meet some of the animals currently under the care of the shelter and waiting for their forever homes.
The rescue charity is dedicated to caring for the lost, stray and abandoned dogs and cats around Bolton, successfully rehoming around 450 animals a year.
Those staying here at the moment include French bulldog Betty, playful Staffie-cross Nala, and adorable doodle and spaniel duo Rocco and Ralph.
And that’s just the dogs – we also met the toothless gentleman Dodger, mischievous kitten trio Knox Lumos and Fawkes, and two-week-old siblings Lux and Faith.
Then upstairs in the mum and baby room, OHS handed a soft pet bed to Elvira and the tiny fluffball that is Ghost, her kitten.
All of them have ended up here because of situations totally out of their control, whether that’s the death of their owners or a change in circumstance.
Watch rescue cats and dogs being gifted presents for Bonfire Night:
‘Northern Lights’ to be visible in Bolton as popular FREE light art festival returns next month
Emily Sergeant
Bolton’s festival full of fantastic immersive light art installations is set to shine on the town centre next month.
Back by popular demand after proving to be such a success during its inaugural year in 2023, with the first-of-its-kind event attracting more than 50,000 visitors, Put Big Light On Festival is returning for another year of festive magic, and there’s some huge and impressive art installations set to descend on the Greater Manchester town’s centre.
Curated by artistic events company, Things That Go On Things, the festival will take place right across Bolton in late November.
This year’s lineup will feature magical creations from a diverse range of artists.
A free festival of immersive light installations will shine on Bolton again next month / Credit: Bolton Council
Returning in 2025 for what’s said to be ‘the final time’, Dan Acher’s fan-favourite Borealis will illuminate Victoria Square by recreating one of planet Earth’s most incredible natural phenomena, the Northern Lights, in the most immersive way possible.
As beams of light travel through particle clouds, visitors can look up to see the show above their heads, and as the particle clouds are moved by wind, over which there is no control, this means they’ll never see the same pattern twice.
Other installations this year include Mars by the critically-acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, which is a six-metre diameter sculpture featuring high-resolution NASA imagery of the Martian surface, and Submergence by Squidsoup – a walkthrough experience with thousands of suspended lights creating an immersive sense of movement.
Wave by Are You Playing Out, The Garden by Ant Dickinson, Celestial Carousel by Eye of Newt, and Beacon of Hope by Craig Morrison are a handful of the other installations.
As well as the festival itself, there will also be plenty of vibrant street entertainment over the four-day event too, and residents can expect lots of family activities in the run-up to the festive season.
“Put Big Light On is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of Bolton’s creativity, resilience, and community spirit,” commented Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub.
“We’re proud to welcome world-class artists and local talent to light up our town and bring people together in a truly magical way.
Danny Jones -
30th July 2025 
