Back in the summer of 2015, netball enthusiast Stephanie Wood was on a mission. She wanted to establish an Algarve netball team and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
After chasing schools and sports centres, she convinced the Lagos câmara to let her use a patch of concrete behind the local fire station (bombeiros). In a true labour of love, Steph and her parents spent a week in August hand-painting the court lines themselves, working early mornings and late evenings to escape the heat. The proximity of the fire station led to the team’s name and The Lagos Fireballs were born. The proximity to a local bar also came in handy for the post-match analysis!
“I guess the quick thing that I should really say is… from not knowing what would happen if people would turn up… to where it is today, ten years later, is just staggering really and something that I feel obviously deeply proud of,” Steph says, reflecting on the journey.
The early days were defined by a “make-do” community spirit. When the first team bibs arrived looking “like tents,” Steph’s sister’s mother-in-law resized them on her sewing machine. The team attracted a diverse group – from English players who played at school to Brazilian women who had never played before – all seeking community and the buzz of competitive sport.
A pivotal moment came when Steph received a new job offer and returned to London, handing the reins to Charlie Milsom. Steph credits Charlie entirely for the club’s survival. “Charlie stepped into that leadership role and has done a fantastic job of keeping things going,” Steph says. “She really does just have a huge passion for the sport, plus a huge passion for community and the importance of bringing people together.” The group has always had a strong social vibe, where lasting friendships have formed. Their annual Christmas parties are legendary in Lagos!
Under Charlie’s leadership, the Fireballs evolved from a casual meetup into a competitive powerhouse. “Steph’s dream was to start a local team, put netball on the map in Portugal, and one day have a national league,” Charlie notes. That dream is now a reality, with the sport growing to six teams across Portugal.
The journey wasn’t without hiccups. When their original court was reclaimed for football, Boavista Golf & Spa stepped in to provide a tennis court and paint lines for a netball court, saving the team. For post-match analysis, they found a home at Atalaia Restaurant, whose owner, Vlad, has cheerfully served beer, wine, and chips and eventually became the team’s sponsor and an honorary fireball.
“Ten years later, we’re proud to call ourselves the best team in the country,” Charlie says. “Players have come and gone… but once a Fireball, always a Fireball!”
After celebrating their anniversary with a “decadent” party at the Lighthouse, the team is now preparing for a larger stage. This June, the Lagos Fireballs will compete at the prestigious Algarve 7s Sports Festival in Vila Real de Santo António, joining over 80 international teams. It is a massive milestone for a club that began on a hand-painted concrete patch behind a fire station.
FB: Netball in Lagos
Instagram: Lagosfireballs_netball_algarve
