Top-level competitive netball comes to Huddersfield for the first time – with a live TV audience.

Yorkshire Jets will stage the town’s first ever competitive Superleague Netball game at Huddersfield University on Monday, March 1.

The Jets, who are taking their home games around the county, face Hertfordshire Mavericks in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

A pre-season friendly against Manchester Thunder was held at the university in October but the clash with the Mavericks is the real deal.

Ahead of the main game, the Jets have invited dozens of youngsters from the Huddersfield Giants Netball Club, whose juniors train at New College, and Yorkshire Terriers Netball Club, based at Brooksbank School in Elland, to play in a mini-tournament.

Up to 60 girls aged between 11 and 16 will showcase the passion for netball across Kirklees and Calderdale at a time when figures show more and more people are taking part in the sport.

Jets head coach Anna Carter, Yorkshire Jets Head Coach, said: “We’re excited to be bringing Superleague Netball to Huddersfield and look forward to showcasing the sport’s top competition for the first time.

“Everyone at Yorkshire Jets is also passionate about netball at every level so we’re delighted to be hosting the Huddersfield Giants v Yorkshire Terriers mini-tournament ahead of our game and I look forward to seeing the young players in action.”

This year’s Yorkshire Jets squad includes 18-year old Lydia Walker from Huddersfield. She discovered her passion for netball at Lindley Infants and Juniors, Salendine Nook High School and Greenhead College before starting at Leeds Beckett University last September.

Lydia Walker

She said: “As a Huddersfield girl, I’m delighted that fans of all ages here get a chance to see some of the best players in the sport in their own town.

“I’m even more excited that I’m in the Jets squad when we bring the sport’s competition to Huddersfield.

“Having a really supportive home crowd makes a difference for the team and I know we can count on fans here to be our eighth player on court.”

Lynda Fluskey, head coach at Huddersfield Giants Netball Club, added: “Junior clubs are the starting place for Yorkshire Jets players.

“Lydia Walker started her netball with us and is a great role model for all the young athletes.

“We have support from schools across the area and have over 150 athletes registered to play.

“This is only possible due to the fantastic volunteer force of coaches, umpires, team managers and parents and we are looking forward to being able to showcase our work as part of Netball Superleague’s arrival in Huddersfield.”

The mini-tournament will take place before the Superleague Netball match, which starts at 7.45pm.

The crowd at the Yorkshire Jets pre-season friendly against Manchester Thunder at Huddersfield University in October 2014