Published at 11:13, Friday, 29 February 2008

NETHERHALL School’s Young Enterprise group is on the ball when it comes to social conscience.

Fair deal: Members of Netherhall School’s Young Enterprise team Globall, who sell Fairtrade balls, are pictured with Young Enterprise link teacher Melanie Wright, front left, and director of sport Denise Richardson, front right, and company MD Gary Charters(2nd row 3rd left).

The Maryport school’s students, when considering a product to sell this year, decided to look at world issues as a first step.

The result is Globall Ltd, a company which buys and sells Fairtrade sports balls of all descriptions. And the company's first big order, for £500 worth of balls, has come from its own school's sports department.

The sports balls, from Pakistan, are good quality but are made and sold fairly, without using child labour.

Managing director Gary Charters, 16, said the political unrest in Pakistan had been a concern. But he added: “These balls are made in quite a remote area and we have had no trouble getting our supply."

Globall is made up of around 10 young people with Daniel Fisher, 16, as marketing director and Joanne Davies, 16, the financial director.

The company offers footballs, including official match standard balls, basketballs, rugby balls and volleyballs.

The scheme sees football stitching organised into small units in a village with workers getting a fair wage which allows children to go to school instead of having to work.

Workers are also given enough money to meet the basics needs of a family, plus a health scheme.

Anyone interested in ordering balls can call at the school for a catalogue or ring 01900 813434 and leave a name and address for a catalogue delivery.

The company is also in the process of developing a website.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk