Wales Netball
August 13, 2025
On June 28th, the PSV sports hall in Haverfordwest was buzzing with energy, as players and spectators gathered for the annual mixed FAST5 netball tournament. Organised by Caroline and Henry, this year’s event was a smashing success, raising an incredible £1379.73 for Homeless Pembrokeshire, a charity dedicated to helping those facing homelessness.
The day of the fundraiser saw 10 mixed teams of all ages from across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion take part: the youngest player aged 14 and the oldest player aged 69! They took to court to play FAST5 Netball – a variation of netball where the number of points scored increases the further you are from the goal. With an incredible atmosphere, Pythons and Jets set to play the final, with Pythons coming away victorious. Louise Hoskins, Captain of the winning Pythons team, said the following about their experience:
“This is the second year running that I’ve taken part in this amazing Fast5 tournament, and I think it’s safe to say that everyone involved had an absolutely brilliant day. It’s such a well-organized event — all thanks to Caroline and Henry — and it supports such worthy causes. Also, being captain of the winning Pythons team just added to the day! I really hope it continues for many more years to come.”
The event wasn’t just about netball; it was about community and compassion. A stall run by Homeless Pembrokeshire was a focal point of the day, allowing players and spectators to learn more about the charity’s vital work. Several years ago, Amanda Evans, who whilst out running, passed a homeless man in the doorway. The next day, Amanda was horrified to learn of the man’s unfortunate passing. Haunted by this experience, Amanda set up Homeless Pembrokeshire in 2017 and in 2020, registered it as a charity. After realising the homeless situation in Pembrokeshire was greater than official figures suggested, in 2018, the charity began issuing its emergency sleeper pack. Homeless Pembrokeshire has now expanded its aid to Carmarthenshire in 2024 and works with the police and other authorities to deal with crisis situations, including during out-of-office hours when other organisations are unavailable. Their representatives on the day, said:
“Thanks to Caroline and Henry, over £1300 was raised on the day. These much-needed funds will help the charity with its crisis intervention work. Providing emergency support to rough sleepers in the county. The tournament was a huge success and incredibly entertaining. On behalf of everyone who use our services, thank you.”
This year’s tournament also highlighted the growing inclusivity of netball. Llewod Llambed Netball Club were willing to make the 3 hours round trip to such a fantastic tournament which allowed their young boys to play in Llewod Llambed kit, in a tournament away from their home turf, a special experience for everyone. Tomos Lloyd-Jones, a seventeen-year-old from Llewod Llambed Netball Club was awarded Player of the Tournament, due to his breathtaking intercepts and highly skilled play. He told us “As a sportsman, FAST5 develops all skills, including ball skills, fitness, teamwork, and all at a fast pace. I hope there will be more competitive opportunities for me to play netball in the future.”
Alex Fox from the club spoke proudly about the young men on their team, saying, “It is also great to see that this generation of young men are not afraid to play, what for years, has been labelled as a girls’ sport. We are proud that Llewod Llambed is doing our bit to normalise male participation and eradicate these netball stereotypes.”
The success of this inclusive FAST5 event was a true team effort, with countless volunteers giving their time to umpire, score, provide refreshments, and get everyone’s spirits up with music. Local businesses also played a crucial role, with Specsavers Haverfordwest and local furniture store Big Brum’s sponsoring the event. Around 20 other local businesses supported with raffle prizes. Wayne Jones, retail director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, said:
“As a locally owned and run business, we’re committed to supporting our community and Homeless Pembrokeshire is a charity that continues to make a real difference. We’re proud to be involved in an event that brings people together while raising awareness of a challenge affecting more people in our community than many realise”.
This annual FAST5 event is more than just a netball tournament. It’s a powerful example of how sport can bring people together for a great cause, foster inclusivity, and create a positive impact on the community. A huge thank you to Caroline and Henry for their hard work and dedication in organising this inspiring event year after year!
