On Saturday 3rd February Netball South West held their first Regional Goalden Globe Awards at Combe Grove Manor Hotel and Country Club, Bath. The venue was very picturesque nestling in 69 acres with views overlooking the breathtaking Limpley Stoke Valley. Attendees from all over the region arrived from 12 noon onwards for the reception, all 10 counties had representation at the event. VIP guests, England and Team Bath Athletes Tamsin Greenway, Rachel Dunn, Pamela Cookey and Geva Mentor were also in attendance to present the awards.

NSW Muriel McNally Winner 2006 - Jan Howard (Devon)

This award is presented to a volunteer who has made a notable contribution to the development of netball at grass roots level over a significant period of time.

Jan was nominated by Lin Oldham and Patsy Colvin who highlighted how Jan has been an active volunteer for over 30 years. At present Jan can be seen umpiring every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for the established league and the newly formed Exeter and District Junior League to which she also acts as Vice Chairman.

During the past 25 years Jan has held numerous positions on East Devon CNA and since 1995 has held the position of Chair person. Jan is also a qualified Level 2 coach using her skills and knowledge to assist the Seniors/U18/U16 coaches at East Devon County. In conjunction with being involved with the administration, officiating and coaching of Netball Jan is also a qualified coach tutor and has delivered many Level 1 Coach courses. If this wasn't enough Jan is currently involved in establishing 3 new Satellite Academies in the County based at North Devon, Torbay and the Exeter area. Jan has and is an inspiration to Netball. The wonderful support shown by her friends, colleagues and family over the many years of her involvement has enabled Jan the freedom to pursue her passion, and the County and players have benefited enormously from her dedication and commitment.

NSW Teacher of the Year Winner 2006 - Sharon Steward (Devon)

This award recognises a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of netball in school, outside their statutory teaching responsibilities, in the last 12 months.  To be eligible nominees must be attached to a school affiliated to England Netball.

Sharon was nominated by Karen Jones who said how Sharon has been a PE teacher at Plymstock Community College for over 10 years and in this time has built up a very successful junior club linked to the school.

Sharon's successes include having a thriving junior club which accommodates over 100 children playing Netball ranging from High 5 Netball aimed at primary school children to competitive play at U16. Showing steady progression and allowing development to occur appropriately through a child's growth. In 2006 Sharon's U14 squad were finalists in the English Schools Tournament, also that year the U14s were the overall winners of the National Sports Colleges Tournament. This success was noted and 1 student was spotted and recommended for Talent 1 ID. Not only does Sharon work hard for providing Netball to able bodied children but she also provides opportunities for disabled children. In 2005 Sharon took a team from Longcause Special School to the Marion Smith Disabled Netball Tournament where they competed for the overall winner's title. Sharon also works hard with running regular coaching sessions for special needs students from Longcause in with her own junior netball coaching sessions. Sharon is a dedicated and committed teacher and her enthusiasm is reflected in her students.

NSW Nextgen Award Winners 2006 - Titans Netball Club (Devon)

This Award is presented to an organisation in Netball which has made an outstanding contribution to developing, training and supporting their new and young volunteers.

Titans Netball Club was nominated by Karen Jones who noted Titans focus upon their volunteers. Titans have gone from strength to strength since taking on 20 juniors from Active Devon's Stage 1 programme. They now have over 70 members and are committed to club and volunteer development.

Titans Netball Club's work branches out into the local community. As well as training their own teams, the club has trained the North Devon Netball Teams for the County's Youth Games. Unsurprisingly, Lorraine Beel, one of Titans founder members, won the "Mentor of the Year" award at Active Devon's Sports Awards. The club has worked with NSW on the PESSCL (Physical Education and School Sport Club Links) Programme and the junior section and number of volunteers has grown even further. They have had 2 of the club's young volunteers accepted onto the Scholarship Scheme which is a huge achievement. As well as progressing their volunteers and commitment to this development the club has been evolving its workforce through the attainment of Lorraine Beel gaining her A Award Umpires award along with 2 additional Level 2 coaches and a B Award Umpire. This commitment to developing everyone at the club whether they are players, committee members or volunteers to achieve their full potential is truly amazing.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2006 - Claire Grainger (Devon)

This Award is presented to a Young Person under the age of 25, who has volunteered their time and expertise for a minimum period of two years to help others to enjoy Netball.  This may be by way of coaching, umpiring or administration.

Claire was nominated by Karen Jones. If you are Plymouth area there's a good chance you'll recognise Claire Grainger. If you are based elsewhere in the SW region look out for her; Claire's success as a player, coach and an umpire make her the face to watch for not only now but in the future.

Claire is a student teacher at Marjon in Plymouth. Her manner (quiet, fun and understanding) has helped to build a rapport with the young athletes who she works with. Their confidence has grown immensely under her dedicated, watchful eye. In March 2000 Claire successfully achieved her Level 2 Coach qualification and to attain this qualification at such a young age was a great achievement, Claire has used her knowledge and her confidence gained from getting this award to take Plymouth Civil Service NC's junior section to higher levels. She is very reliable and always willing to help out at short notice. Claire is an outstanding individual with promise to go extremely far in Netball. Her dedication, enthusiasm and passion for the game are reflected throughout her continual involvement.

NSW Rose Award Winner 2006 - Liz Bloor (Avon)

This award is made to a volunteer or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to England Netball by promoting and developing Netball to a wider audience.  It is the quality of service which is important, not the length.

Liz was nominated by Denise Snow stating that Liz has made a huge and valuable contribution to the development of Netball locally, regionally and nationally. Locally she has set up an ever growing and successful junior club and built an excellent team of coaches around her and Bath NC has developed as a very organised and effective junior club.

Liz is a valuable member of Avon County Netball Association's Committee to whom Denise has become reliant upon within her role as Chair knowing Liz is always there to provide help, support and sound advice. Liz has been coordinating the successful bid for £220,000 to create a Netball Centre at the Grange Sports College in Bristol. Liz has worked extremely hard in getting this project off the ground from arranging initial planning meeting and specific project groups. She acted as the main committee link with the school and other partners. With this new facility in place Liz has set up a mini league for children from local primary schools and has been working alongside other coaches and pupils from the schools in order to get this up and running. The children attend training once a week and are now playing matches with great enthusiasm and interest. There are so many other achievements Liz brings to Netball locally and regionally. Liz's biggest attribute is her enthusiasm, total dedication, organisational skills and her constant willingness to help and support others in the sport.