The link-up between the two bodies aims to empower women through physical activity and netball.

It has led to a project which has introduced walking netball sessions for Women's Institute (WI) members across the country.

Training to allow WI members to continue delivering the programme has also taken place in a bid to leave a lasting legacy.

Over the last year, 360 WIs have expressed an interest in walking netball with 65 sessions held and 70 people trained to act as hosts.

WIs from across the country came together at Denman College in Oxfordshire to celebrate the partnership and the growth of walking netball.

The day included a demonstration of the sport on a pop-up court and question and answer sessions with Joanna Adams, the England Netball chief executive, and Commonwealth Games champion Ama Agbeze.

There was then a chance for those in attendance to try the sport.

"We are delighted by the staggering success of this partnership with the NFWI," said Adams. 

"When we first met to discuss setting this project up, we knew the NFWI were the perfect fit for us as they have a shared commitment to empowering women across the country.

"This project, which is funded by Sport England, has already helped improve the health and wellbeing of many WI members across the country. 

"We know how beneficial this sport can be, which was made evident at the celebration event hosted at Denman College.

"It was wonderful to see so much laughter and fun on the court and to see how far this partnership has come in the last year alone. 

"We are looking forward to what the next year has in store and to continuing our work with the NFWI."