NATIONAL GOALDEN GLOBES
Saturday 17th September saw the England Netball National Goalden Globe Awards take place in Leicester, a glitzy affair that brings the country’s greatest volunteers together to celebrate and pay tribute to the time and effort they dedicate to netball. As always, the competition was tough with some wonderful nominees in every category coming from all corners of the Country, but it was the East Region who came out on top, scooping up three of the 10 contested awards!
Outstanding Netball Club was the first Award to come our way, presented to Turnford Netball Club of Hertfordshire. Turnford are a club completely committed to the development of their 273 members, whether they’re players, coaches, officials, volunteers, or all of the above. They have qualified two new Level 1 coaches, two new Level 2 coaches and a Level 3 coach this year, 9 new umpires, including 2 at B Award, 14 new first aiders and has had 12 people attend a safeguarding course. With all this expertise in house, it’s not suprising that this club is extremely successful on the court, enjoying a wonderful 2010/11 season; Their first team gained a place at playoffs into the National League Division 2, finishing in a very credible fourth position, another of their teams gained entry into the RCL Division 2, finishing in the top spot, their U14 team won the regional league and the U16 team came runners up, giving them both entry into the National Finals, where the U14’s picked up the runners up medals.
Next was the Muriel McNally Award, presented to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of netball at grassroots level for 10 years or more. Andrea Eggleton of Cambridge (shown right) was the deserving winner of this extremely competitive category, for the 18 years of service she has given to netball. Andrea has Chaired various committees in this time, giving absolute commitment to the development of netball at grassroots level and providing opportunities for hundreds of young people to play. Andrea is also an umpire and a coach, and over the years has been involved in many netball events and projects including the Heart of the East Youth Games, Back to Netball and Sport Unlimited.
The final East winner, was Regional Treasurer and Chair of East Essex Netball Association John Pitts, who picked up the national Mary Bulloch Award. John has been volunteering for over 35 years in a variety of roles, currently at National, Regional, County and Local level. As a Secretary, Chair and Treasurer, the administrative skills of John have been used widely to benefit netball and netballers at every level, making him an extremely worth winner!
Carol Shaughnessy of Essex Thurrock was also awarded an England Netball Long Service Award for 25 years of volunteering in netball. Carol began as an Umpire Tester back in 1982, later becoming a Mentor and Coach, County Secretary and Vice Chairman.
Congratulations to all our national winners, and our regional winners;
YOUNG VOLUNTEER - Josie Huckle, NETBALL TEACHER - Abi Naugher, COACH - Sam Meade, ROSE AWARD - Claire Southam, OFFICIALS AWARD - June Snellin.