National One Awards 2024

Eleanor Udall • November 11, 2024

This sparkling evening recognised outstanding contributions to netball and those who have all dedicated countless hours to enriching the sport and empowering the netball community!

The 2024 ONE Awards, held on October 19th at the National Motorcycle Museum & National Conference Centre in Solihull, were a glittering celebration of dedication, passion, and commitment to netball. Hosted by Katharine Merry, the night saw over 250 guests, including notable figures Jas Brown and Jo Trip, gathered to honour the exceptional contributions of volunteers from across the country. Jean Robinson, who played for England in the 1950s and 60s also proved to be a smash hit with the crowd as she retold many of her favourite netball memories and her joy at being part of the netball family. In total, 12 prestigious awards were presented, recognizing the regional individuals and organisations who pour their time, energy, and expertise into making netball happen.

Recognizing Sara’s Impact on Officiating

Among the remarkable national winners was our very own Sara Bostock, a powerhouse in promoting, developing, and supporting netball officiating. Sara won National Community Official of the Year and her award was presented by Sheelagh Redpath. Sara’s work as the Technical Official Lead Coordinator for Loughborough Lightning has not only ensured top-notch officiating standards in the region, but has also positively impacted the Netball Super League and international competitions alike. Her passion for training and mentoring officials has significantly elevated the officiating quality and enriched the netball experience for players and spectators. True to her generous spirit, Sara extended her thanks beyond herself, giving a heartfelt shoutout to her team of East Midlands netball officials. From Technical Officials to Umpires and Mentors, Sara acknowledged the crucial roles her colleagues play in advancing officiating standards. Her closing message was both uplifting and inspiring: “I love a challenge! Let’s keep Technical Officiating progressing as the game develops.”

Honouring 31 Years of Dedication: Jackie Milsom’s Long Service Award

Another highlight of the evening was the England Netball Long Service Award presented to Jackie Milsom, whose 31 years of dedication to netball have left an indelible mark. Jackie’s journey in netball began in 1993 as Derbyshire’s Fixtures Secretary and Team Manager, roles she held until 2005. Her commitment and work in the East Midlands saw her being awarded her regional Long Service in 2015. More recently, she has brought her expertise and unwavering commitment to Loughborough Lightning as Team Manager in the Netball Super League, where she has been instrumental in coordinating logistics, supporting players, and contributing to the team’s success behind the scenes. Reflecting on Jackie’s accomplishments, a fellow volunteer shared, “As a former Team Manager myself, I know both roles require countless hours of behind-the-scenes work, from scheduling and admin to offering player support—all of which Jackie takes on with dedication and heart. Her contribution is vital to the smooth running of training and matches, which she attends, in addition to the countless hours of admin required.” Congratulations to Jackie for her much-deserved Long Service Award! Her decades of dedication and service have set a high standard in the East Midlands and beyond, inspiring others to follow her lead in making a difference in netball. We also look forward to Jackie celebrating her 300th NSL game at the next Lightning game!

Young Volunteer, Rebecca presented with Pass On Your Passion Award

The 2024 National ONE Awards in Solihull highlighted the incredible dedication of young leaders in netball, and among them was Bingham’s own Rebecca Bowen, who received the prestigious Pass On Your Passion Award. This award, England Netball’s recognition for young volunteers aged 12-25, celebrates those who’ve dedicated over 400 hours to enriching the sport in their communities over the past two years. Rebecca, already honoured as the East Midlands Young Volunteer of the Year in 2023, has dedicated countless hours to coaching, mentoring, and inspiring younger players at her club. A skilled player herself, she completed a Bee Netball workshop and earned her Level 1 coaching certification, making her a role model for her peers. Rebecca supports her club’s junior section by attending matches weekly, offering on-the-spot coaching, and providing individual guidance to players. Congratulations Rebecca! Read more about her Pass on Your Passion journey in our recent newsletter!

The ONE Awards captured the spirit of netball by celebrating individuals whose hard work, passion, and vision have created a welcoming and empowering community. It was a fantastic evening with the East Midlands well represented. Sara, Jackie and Rebecca, along with all our regional winners and nominees, embody the values of dedication and excellence, demonstrating how one person’s efforts can have a lasting impact. Here’s to these local legends and to all the volunteers who make netball thrive in our communities!

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Ashby Netball Club breaking records for charity!

By Eleanor Udall • March 27, 2025

The Ashby Netball Club has pulled off a truly spectacular feat, combining record-breaking achievements with an awe-inspiring act of charity that has captured hearts far and wide. Their recent Ashby Netball Marathon not only saw players endure a jaw-dropping 75 hours of continuous play, but it also led to the smashing of three Guinness World Records and raising over £57,000 for charity! Determined to leave a lasting impact, multiple teams took on the challenge of breaking the World Record for the most goals scored in 60 minutes and the most goals scored in 3 minutes. The previous record of 1105 goals in an hour, set by Trinity Netball Club in 2021, was absolutely shattered when one of Ashby’s teams netted an incredible 1564 goals in just 60 minutes! If that wasn’t enough, the club also set a brand-new record for the most goals scored in 3 minutes, hitting an impressive 97 goals. But the excitement didn’t stop there!... A standout moment of the marathon came when Imogen Talbot took to the court with a singular mission – to beat the individual record for most goals scored in one minute. The record of 40 goals was held by Suzanne Hobson in North Yorkshire, but Imogen’s lightning-fast shooting saw her land a whopping 49 goals in just 60 seconds! That’s a goal every 1.25 seconds, an astonishing feat of skill and endurance. This incredible effort was more than just a show of athletic excellence. The 75-hour netball marathon was all in the name of charity, with funds raised set to make a real difference in the community. Over an astounding £57,000 was raised for Kids Village, a charity dedicated to providing free, life-enhancing respite holidays for critically ill children and their families. Kids Village is on a mission to build a unique holiday village in the heart of the UK, near Lichfield, Staffordshire. Their goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where families can escape the pressures of daily life, find joy in magical moments, and make lasting memories together. With no cost to the families, this initiative offers a much-needed break from the stress and challenges of ongoing treatments and hospital visits, providing a space of relaxation and happiness. This charity is close to the hearts of the club as Carla Garey (their club development lead) made a pledge to fundraise after seeing her inspirational little girl Evelyn, fight for her life after being born with a rare congenital condition causing a defect of her RET gene and one of the resulting factors was a condition called Hirschsprung's disease, and the amazing players at Ashby Netball stood up and wanted to help. You may remember their 24 hour netball event that raised over £20,400 back in 2023 for the same charity. Even Parliament took notice! The club’s local MP acknowledged their achievements in a House of Commons session, calling it an incredible act of charity and congratulating the players for their relentless dedication. From all of us, congratulations, Ashby Netball Club! You’ve shot your way into the record books and our hearts

Spring Junior Tournament

March 12, 2025

March 9th- Stamford Junior School A beautiful spring day with clear skies and a light breeze was perfect for our inaugural Spring Junior Netball Tournament completing a busy netball weekend following the Super Cup the day before. Throughout the day there was a fantastic display of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. With 25 junior teams competing, the courts were alive with energy from the very first whistle to the final goal. The teams were divided into three age groups u11s playing BEE Netball and u12 and u14 teams. Different formats were played in the age groups ensuring fair and exciting matchups, with the top teams progressing to the seeded finals. Spectators, including proud parents and enthusiastic friends, cheered on from the sidelines, creating an electric atmosphere. The day concluded with a heartfelt awards ceremony, where players received medals for the winning and runner up teams. Special thanks to coaches, referees, volunteers, and families for making the event a resounding success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another fantastic tournament in the summer!

Netball Youth Camp Brings Skills, and Friendship to Leicester!

By Eleanor Udall • February 27, 2025

The Netball Youth Camp at The Highfields Centre in Leicester was a huge success, offering local children a fun and engaging day to develop their skills, make new friends, and enjoy the game of netball!

Regional Schools 2025

By Eleanor Udall • February 12, 2025

What a day of netball! Despite the chilly weather, the courts at Repton School were buzzing with energy on 1st February as 30 school teams battled it out in the fiercely contested Regional Schools Netball Tournament. With skill, determination, and teamwork on full display, the event was a true celebration of school netball at its finest!