Each week we bring you a good news story from across the South West as part of our wedNEWSday articles.

Over the past few months England Netballs South West members have been working hard to complete their officiating qualifications. An impressive number of umpires going through their training has resulted in a total of 105 members being awarded one of England Netball’s officiating qualifications since September 2021. We want to give a big shout out and congratulations to each of those members.

The first step on the officiating journey is the Into Officiating Award. This course aims to provide learners with an understanding of the basic rules of the game, as well as covering some of the basic positioning and movement required to enable you to ‘whistle well’ whilst being an umpire. Within the South West 57 members have completed their Into Officiating Award from the following counties.

The Next step is the C Award. This award is fantastic for those who are wanting to umpire at a higher level within their counties. Here in the South West we have had 37 members complete their C Award.

Step 3 of the officiating pathway is the B Award. This takes a blended learning approach and equips learners with the knowledge and technique needed to be able to officiate matches at a regional level. The following people have recently been awarded their B Award.

Following on from the B Award the Netball Europe A Umpires Award is the most prestigious Award used by England Netball. Successful Umpires will be expected to contribute to the on-going support of England Netballs Premier League competitions whilst maintaining a continual high standard of umpiring.

The award will allow them (by invitation) to umpire at National League level. With that in mind we want to give a special shout out and congratulations to Gina Pearce who passed her A Award, what a fantastic achievement.

Interested in starting your officiating journey? Then click here to find out more.

Fabulous umpiring achievements aside, we currently have two other very exciting events happening across the region. Firstly, there is less than a week to go until the closing date for our two vacant roles (Wiltshire NDO and Somerset NDO maternity cover).

To find out more and apply for these roles click here.

Secondly, nominations for The ONE Awards are open and we need YOUR help to spotlight the amazing people who make netball happen through officiating, coaching, volunteering, delivering in schools, clubs and local leagues, as committee members and so much more.

Formerly known as the Vitality Goalden Globe Awards, The ONE Awards will celebrate the achievements of regional England Netball volunteers, at the South West ONE awards ceremony. This prestigious event is always much anticipated by South West netball members and is an occasion for the netball family to unite for a day of celebration, and we want you to be part of it. Winners of the regional ONE Awards will also be invited to attend The ONE Awards national ceremony and represent the South West.

To find out more and to nominate someone today click here.

If you have a good news story that you would like to share please send your story and a picture to the South West Regional Coordinator (southwest@englandnetball.co.uk)

Each week we bring you a good news story from across the South West as part of our wedNEWSday articles.

Over the past couple of months, the South West has had festival fever. Both Walking Netballers and Back to Netballers have taken to court for a day of competitive play at three events across Devon, Dorset and Cornwall.

Devon opened the South West’s festival season with a Back to Netball festival at Paignton Academy on Sunday 30th January with 6 teams competing in the first festival since early 2020. A fun filled day was had by all with Long Shot taking the winning position closely followed by the runners up The Goal Getters.

In Dorset, all the pre-COVID Walking Netball sessions have returned, with 14 newly trained Walking Netball Hosts, 5 new sessions and 2 more in the pipeline. It has been a busy year! This level of activity is reflected across the region and when we advertised the England Netball South West Walking Netball Festival, to be held at Yeovil on 13th February 2022, we were very quickly oversubscribed. 11 teams competed from across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and with over 100 participants in attendance. It was great to see a mix of ages and abilities with everyone having a great time. The true spirit of Walking Netball prevailed with teams helping each other out if they were short of players and being patient with those that were still a little unfamiliar with the rules. The tournament included players new to netball, those retired from league netball and younger players returning to netball whilst recovering from injury and using Walking Netball as part of their rehabilitation. Having strict umpires kept the game safe and injury free, although umpire Alice Clark remarked ‘I never thought I would say ‘advantage jumping GK’ whilst umpiring!’. A big shout out to all those who attended or helped make the event happen from Child Okeford WI, Budmouth Walking Netball, Wonford Walking Netball, Studland and Swanage WIs, West Lulworth WI, Chippenham Walking Netball, Yeovil Walking Netball, Taunton Walking Netball.

The latest festival took place on Sunday 6th March where 6 Walking Netball teams, comprising of 50 players, headed to Bodmin Leisure Centre, Cornwall, for the first time in over 2 years, for a fun filled (yet quite competitive!) afternoon. The day was well supported by a group of umpires from within the county and it was great to hear the umpires remarking on how they enjoyed being involved and getting an insight into this growing area of the netball family. Medals and a prize were awarded to the winners, The Wigglers Cim, and runners up medals awarded to second place The Wigglers 7. Both teams were from Bodmin Netball Club’s Wigglers.

Thank you to all those who have made these festivals happen, I’m sure there will be many more to come so keep your eyes peeled.

If you have a good news story that you would like to share please send your story and a picture to the South West Regional Coordinator (southwest@englandnetball.co.uk)

Contact Us

England Netball South West
Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership
Castle Road
Chelston Business Park
Wellington
TA21 9JQ
Charity number: 1197522

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