England Netball has experienced a 35 per cent increase on the number of people participating in the sport during 2016.

More than 17,000 new participants took part in activities established by the sport’s national governing body over the last year.

Overall, 36,500 people have been involved with England Netball schemes over the time period.

In addition, 69 new clubs have been set up, with 72 existing clubs setting up new sections to cope with increasing demand.

Talking to Sports Management earlier this year, England Netball chief executive Joanna Adams revealed that 50,000 women had started to play the sport as a result of the launch of its Back to Netball initiative.

The organisation also launched a Walking Netball schemes – for those women with injuries or from an older demographic – earlier this year as well.