Meet Our New Regional Chair: Rowena Hackwood!

Sharon Keevins • August 21, 2024

We’re thrilled to introduce the new Chair of our Regional Board—a true East Midlander with a lifelong passion for netball. With a career that spans various sectors and a deep commitment to the sport, she’s ready to take on this new role with enthusiasm and a vision for the future. Born in Nottingham and now living in Leicestershire, our new Chair is rooted in the East Midlands. Netball runs in her family—her sister was a junior international player, her niece is climbing the ranks in the junior pathway, and her nephew plays for the England Mens Trailblazers.

She’s got a diverse background, having worked in the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors. These days, she runs a large education Trust, but netball has always been her passion. She’s also been involved in a bunch of volunteer roles, from chairing the Moll Buzzers Netball Club to captaining TFC in the Regional league.

Why She Took On This Role

“I’m committed to developing the sport at all levels as we move into a professional era,” she says. For her, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how sport can change lives, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships. She’s excited to create a club environment where players can thrive and bring their best selves to the court.

Her volunteer journey has been shaped by some amazing people, like Sue and David Jenkins, who coached her when she first started playing in the 1980s, and Mrs. Skinner, her school netball teacher, who went out of her way to support her training. And in a fun twist, she’s recently reconnected with Sue Connor, her first county coach, who is now the Regional Vice-Chair!

What She Hopes to Achieve

Looking ahead, she has big dreams for netball in the East Midlands. “Wouldn't it be brilliant for the East Midlands to lead the way in netball participation at all levels?” she asks. She’s aiming to create a smooth pathway from school to club to performance levels, so the region can compete—and win—on the national stage.

She’s also passionate about making netball more inclusive, with plans to highlight our talented male players in a mixed programme at the regional level. And personally, she’d love to see a ‘masters series’ for players over 50 who still want to compete at a high level—a nod to her belief that netball is a game for life.

A Message to Volunteers

To all our amazing volunteers, she has a heartfelt message: “Thank you. You make the game what it is, and we couldn’t do it without you.” As netball enters an exciting new chapter, she encourages anyone who’s interested to get involved, whether it’s at the County level or within our regional structures. If you think you’ve got something to offer, she’d love to hear from you!

With her passion and leadership, the future of netball in the East Midlands is looking bright. We can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on our community.

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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!