On 22^nd June 2008, 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.  Asha Tett, TeamBath star and England U21 Silver Medal winner in the 2005 World Youth Championships presented the winners with their Awards.

NSW Coach of the Year 2008 (New Award) - Lisa Manley (Somerset)

Coaches at all levels, play a crucial role in the development of Netball players and this new award recognises the commitment and achievements of a Netball Coach who has made an outstanding contribution over the last 12 months.

The winner of this Regional Award Lisa Manley, is a level 2 Coach working at Club level who has taken on coaching of the senior club with a responsibility for a staggering 7 teams.  The teams which she coaches range in standard from regional sides to teams in local league.  This variety of playing levels is reflected by our winners wide ranging coaching ability.  Our coach volunteers her time to the club, travelling with the first team to away matches and is also a club committee member. In addition to Club coaching, Lisa supports the development of talented young athletes in the region by working within the newly established ‘Talent and Performance Centre' in Somerset.

Congratulations to the Netball South West Coach of the Year 2008, Lisa Manley from Galmington Netball Club.

NSW Muriel McNally Winner 2008 - Doreen Willcocks (Wiltshire)

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.

Doreen Willcocks has actively been involved in Netball for 63 years. Without this individual, Netball would not be in the position it is now within Wiltshire, with particular reference to Pinehurst and Lawn Netball Clubs.  She has always actively encouraged others to get involved in Netball.  Doreen has coached County as well as school and club sides.

Every match Saturday still sees our winner courtside, usually from 10.00 in the morning to 4.00 in the afternoon.  She attends most of her club training nights and makes sure she is there early to support the younger players.  Our winner's dedication is for the development of Netball across all clubs.  She is known as ‘Aunty Doreen' within the local Netball community for she supports all volunteers, regardless of the club they represent.  This inspirational person is truly deserving of this award.

Netball Teacher of the Year 2008 - Cat Hill (Avon)

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.

The winner of this award is an individual who provides opportunities for all year group students at Priory Community School to participate in Netball after school.  She also runs a Netball Club for those interested students to take their Netball participation further. Through the application of fun activities, our winner helps players improve and develop on from basic skills.  Cat actively encourages the girls to get involved in coaching and umpiring by taking different practical aspects themselves and encourages them to seek knowledge and experience from various workshops and courses.  This individual is a fantastic role model.

NSW Nextgen Award Winners 2008 - Hucclecote Netball Club (Glos)

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.

Hucclecote are a Netball Club that ‘make things happen'.  They use a variety of methods to advertise for and recruit new volunteers.  The Club has a comprehensive induction process and each new volunteer is assigned a mentor to support them.  During the last season the Club worked to develop 9 new coaches, 7 of these now hold a UKCC level 1 qualification.  Additionally they also worked to develop 9 Level 2 coaches, 5 of whom now hold a UKCC level 2 qualification.  During the season the club provided mentoring support for 8 trainee beginner and C Award umpires.

Volunteers from the club run a number of events which benefit the local community.  They work hard to raise the profile of Netball in local media and are featured often in the local press and BBC radio. The dedication of volunteers in this club which started over 30 years ago, describe themselves as a group of enthusiasts ‘who just love the game'.  Their hard work has meant that their club is today one of the largest and most successful in the Country.  Congratulations to Hucclecote Netball Club from Gloucestershire.

NSW Rose Award Winner 2008 - Fran Botting (Wiltshire)

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.

You can instantly tell that the winner of this Award is highly respected.  People who had taken the time to write supporting statements that accompanied this nomination came in from not only her own Club Chairperson, but players she coaches and professionals working in Swindon Borough council.

Fran chairs the Swindon League Development Committee and was instrumental in the building of the Dorcan Netball Centre.  She has demonstrated an ability to pull individuals together to overcome some very difficult local politics to achieve this fabulous new build.  The result of our winners work was in ultimately delivering a new netball ethos in Swindon that has raised the profile of the game, made the sport more accessible, increased the number of volunteers and increased teams and participation. Fran is described as ‘bright, intelligent, articulate and a fantastic ambassador for the Sport, England Netball and her Club'.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2008 - Alana Riley (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.

Alana has been volunteering in both a school and community netball setting for nearly 5 years.  In the role of Coach, Alana has put her knowledge to good use, coaching younger children at school and in her own class. A dedicated coach, who intuitively knows how to get the best from players - no matter what their age, she is tireless in her work and very professional.  Working with ones peers would prove challenging to anyone, however not for this individual. Her peers hold her in high regard.  Congratulations Alana.