On 28th July 2007, NSW held its annual Volunteer Awards.  Nominations in each category were received from all over the region.  The judging panel were extremely impressed with the high standard of nominations that they received.  Awards were presented by various members of the Regional Management Board.

NSW Muriel McNally Winner 2007 - Christina Martin (Somerset)

 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.

Christina has been at Syndenham NC since its creation and was one of the founding members. Since then she has provided opportunities for players, officials, coaches and volunteers to develop. Working tirelessly for her club Christina has mentored up and coming umpires and coaches to achieve their qualifications by offering support and encouragement. Not only has Christina worked in developing her umpires, coaches and players she has devoted time to encouraging club members to become part of the club committee and she has taken on other duties to enable the club to continue its growth.

Christina has worked not only for her club but also for Somerset County, as an integral part of the County Committee. Christina has worked hard to develop the junior league in Somerset and works as part of the Umpiring sub committee, organising fixtures, collating and distributing results.  Christina is currently working towards securing funding to expand the club's training facilities to include an extra Netball Court so that the club has appropriate space to allow all members to participate. Keeping costs to a minimum, creating opportunities for all and sharing a wealth of skills and knowledge with others are some of the qualities that make Christina the exceptional individual she is, thus a deserving winner of this award category.

Netball Teacher of the Year 2007 - Sally Anne Byrne (Gloucestershire)

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.

Salli is and always has been enthusiastic about Netball and a very positive role model for students. She organises lunch time clubs for different year groups as well as after school clubs. She will transport her players all over the county to fixtures, as there are only limited opportunities within the district. Salli organises the house tournaments and matches, as well as all fixtures for teams from within the school. She provides opportunities for students to get involved as coaches and officials by encouraging the order students to support and assist the younger students.

Salli has helped to establish a School/Club link as part of the PESSCL scheme, along with the Netball Development Coordinator and an action plan was developed. Salli has established a High 5 league with her cluster primary schools together with other primaries that were interested in entering (total of 10). The schools come together one Monday after school to play league matches, tournaments and finals. Salli encourages the older students to assist as umpires, team managers etc. and several of these students have joined the local club as a result. The club is promoted to all the players, from year 4 to year 11 to participate. It is this link which has helped benefit both the club and players.

The establishment of the High 5 league at White Cross School has raised the profile of Netball within the area as it is a focal point where parents, carers etc. can come and support the players. It has encouraged parents to get involved and attend High 5 to help others progress. Salli's ability to organise and successfully run these programmes is truly amazing.

NSW Nextgen Award Winners 2007 - Verwood Netball Club (Dorset)

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.

Verwood Town NC was revived and brought back to life by Viv Chambers when she heard the club was disbanding with 2 adult members wanting to continue. Viv, along with a few friends started to attend training, word soon spread and numbers started to grow, thus, creating enough for a team to enter competitive play in the county. As the club grew in numbers and strength they opened their doors and created an opportunity for younger females to participate within Netball, thus in turn creating the junior section.

Both the adult and junior sections have grown significantly in the last 10 years establishing themselves as a sound Grass Roots club within the county. Strong networks of communication exist with both East and West Dorset County CNAs and in turn have provided access to a development ladder which their talented players can access.

The club works hard to develop their members and volunteers and ensure all opportunities are available to allow for development and skill/knowledge progression. Volunteers highlight areas of interest with the club to which they work effortlessly to ensure all needs are met and development is best suited to the individual to fulfil their goals. As well as providing opportunities the club also recognises the outstanding contribution made by volunteers to the club through an annual presentation acknowledging all who have helped make the club a success. Without these members the club would not be where it is today. A magnificent achievement which deserves recognition.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2007 - Andrea Semmonds (Cornwall)

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.

Andrea is totally committed to raising the profile of Netball in the Restormel area (Cornwall) and regularly attends courses and workshops to further her skills and knowledge to share with and benefit others. Andrea coaches both junior and senior clubs and deals with the administration and organisation of events.

As well as dedicating time to Netball Andrea also commits herself to the community. One of her best achievements is the work she has done for Brannel Netball Club. Children from all over Restormel come to her coaching sessions on Monday nights, where in September 2007 she hopes to enrol them into the Cornish league. Andrea realised the clay area had no had no netball facilities, so living locally as well was one reason she started up her own club, if you visited the club you would see just how enjoyable it is and the benefit it has had on the community.

In September 2006 Andrea raised and donated £200 to Children in Need through a netball tournament she organised. It is evident that Andrea is a worthy winner of this award and deserves to be recognised for her commitment and dedication to furthering her skills and knowledge so those around her can benefit in more ways than one.

NSW Rose Award Winner 2007 - Denise Ellis (Devon)

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.

Denise is consistently dedicated to Netball, determined to bring all the advantages of an active sport to young people at every level. She is a well known figure on the local Plymouth scene, and was recently appointed Welsh National Netball Coach following on from her time coaching the England U17 and U19 teams. She is a tutor coach as well as a member of England's High Performance Coaching Group.

Giving most of her life to Netball, from her time at school as player, a PTI in the Navy, throughout family life and in her current time as a PE Teacher she's not just played but has umpired, coached and inspired all ages to develop. Although involved in Netball at National Level, she is now investing her time in a new hub club at the College of St Mark and St John, involving players from grass roots to more advanced talented players. She has stayed current in her coaching and has taken time to update all her skills and anything that necessitates running a thriving and innovative club within the community, as well as her demanding role as the coach of elite athletes. Denise is a passionate, inspirational and determined volunteer who strongly believes in providing a stimulating and creative environment for all athletes at all ages.

NSW Community Volunteer of the Year 2007 - Sarah Rowe (Devon)

This award is presented to a volunteer who has made a notable contribution to the development of Netball within the community in the last 12 months.

Sarah has many qualities and these are reflected by the respect she gains from the pupils and staff at her school of Weston Mill, Plymouth. Her friendly nature, expertise and enthusiasm ensures she always has full attendance at her after school club which is open to both boys and girls from Yrs 4,5 and 6.

Through Sarah's role as an Advanced Skills Teacher for Games and a Primary Link Teacher she supports her SSCo partnership by sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with other teachers and has provided staff training in other primary schools. Recently applying for funding and being successful Sarah envisions improving school club links. Being a member of Plymouth Civil Service NC will ensure that Sarah can make appropriate links between local schools and clubs.

Sarah's excellent ability to deliver netball has definitely been put to good use. Not only does she coach netball at school and club level, this year she was also the West Devon Satellite head coach. Here, she inspired almost 40 netballers to achieve challenging personal goals. Sarah also coaches at a drop in centre in a disadvantaged area of Plymouth once a week. Every school holiday and half term, she also delivers a 5 hr netball workshop. Sarah's commitment and attitude to raising the standard and profile of netball is amazing and she is a real inspiration.