Nominations for the Centenary ONE Awards are now open!
As we celebrate100 years of England netball, this year’s Centenary ONE Awards take on a special significance. They shine a light on the incredible people who make netball happen, from volunteers and coaches to officials and community champions.
This year, the awards look a little different, with a simplified approach, making it easier than ever to recognise the individuals who go above and beyond across the game.
Netball simply wouldn’t happen without the time, energy and talent of brilliant people across the country so help us recognise the ONEs everywhere by nominating someONE who makes a difference.
Find out more about the different categories here and submit your nomination(s) here now. You can also find lots more information on the Knowledge Centre.
Comments Off on IWD 2026: The Life and Legacy of Heather Crouch (MBE)
International Women’s Day 2026: Give to Gain
March 8 marks International Women’s Day 2026,and this year’s ‘Give To Gain’ campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When individuals, organisations and communities give generously, the opportunities and support for women increase.
As wecelebrate England Netball’s Centenary year, we are highlighting a century of trailblazing women in netball who gave so generously to create a legacy on and beyond the court. Today, we share the story of a true legend: Heather Crouch MBE who profoundly impacted netball across the country and the South West.
A Life Dedicated to the Court
Heather’s netball journey began at Dartford PE College. Driven by a new found talent for netball, competitive spirit and a desire to improve, she soon started playing competitively. Following this, she rose through the ranks playing club netball with East Ham Rec and County Netball with Essex Met—becoming a national intercounty champion and earning an England trial.
However, Heather’s impact stretched far beyond her own playing days. Starting her professional career as a PE teacher in 1970, she was a coach ahead of her time. She pioneered the use of sport science and brought new thinking to high performance netball through training regimes. She started as a County coach and by 1980, she was the England Schools coach, and by 1987, she was England Senior coach at the World Netball Championships in Glasgow.
A Legacy of Leadership
Heather wasn’t just coach; she gave so much to netball, inspired, motivated, encouraged and led so many people through her passion for the game.
In 2004, she was inducted into the England Netball Hall of Fame and awarded Honorary Life Membership – a distinguished position with England Netball, recognising individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the organisation and its mission. These esteemed members are celebrated for their unwavering dedication, exceptional service, and leadership, which have greatly advanced the goals and values England Netball uphold.
Her voluntary contributions were so significant that she was awarded an MBE in 2010 for her service to sport.
Her leadership roles included:
2002–2010: Director on the Board of England Netball
2004–2010: Chair of Netball South West
2005–2010: Vice Chair of England Netball
2009–2010: Elected Chair of England Netball
The Heather Crouch Award
Through her role as Chair of Netball South West, Heather tirelessly gave her time, energy, support and knowledge to others. Netball South West are extremely proud of all that Heather achieved. In her memory, the Heather Crouch Award is presented annually to a person, group or organisation that has made a significant contribution to or had an impact on netball in the South West. This award is selected from the Regional ONE Awards category winners in recognition of the hard work and dedication they give to our sport.
As we celebrate #IWD2026, we look to Heather’s legacy as the ultimate example of “Give to Gain.” As England Netball celebrates 100 years, the Heather Crouch Award stands as a beautiful reminder that the sport’s future is built on the hard work of its volunteers. By recognizing those who make significant contributions in the South West, her legacy ensures that the “Give to Gain” cycle continues indefinitely. By giving her life to the sport, she gave a legacy that continues to support and inspire our netball family.
Comments Off on Netball South West Regional Schools Tournament 2026
The NSW Regional Round of the National Schools Competition took place at Sir David English, Bournemouth on Saturday 31st January where 42 teams from across the region competed throughout the day.
A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in making the day run smoothly, from our team players to coaches, scorers, supporters, volunteers and umpires. Thank you all for you support.
Congratulations to our regional winners and runners up in each age group who will progress to the National Finals in Sheffield. Wishing you all the best of luck for Nationals!
U19s:
🥇Hartpury College
🥈Millfield School
U16s:
🥇Parkstone Grammar School
🥈Redmaids’ High School
U14s:
🥇Parkstone Grammar School
🥈Dean Close School
Full placings:
Many congratulations to our award winners🏆:
Most Improved Umpire – Catherine Holt
Umpire of the Tournament – Kathy McGaffin
The Pam Telford Spirit of the Game Award – Richard Huish College
Comments Off on Decades of Dedication- From School Courts to Walking Netball: Chris West’s netball journey from age 9 to 85.
6th January 2026.
Learning from her parents, Chris first honed her ball skills at home, before starting netball at just nine years old in primary and junior school where she gained a place in the school team playing against similar schools. Her secondary school years at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar proved more challenging to be selected for the school team, especially with the famous England player and legend Anne Miles among the ranks—but Chris’s commitment never wavered. Even when school team selection was tough, she stayed involved, pumping up netballs and for home matches buying the bun rounds for refreshments!
Chris’s netball journey then continued across Birmingham, Dublin, and Gloucestershire. In Birmingham, she was asked to play for British Bakeries when they needed players. Chris then moved to Dublin and then to Gloucestershire where she still lives in Painswick. Chris joined Stroud Netball Club then moved to another club in Painswick where she met players involved with running county matters. Her county involvement deepened when she offered to volunteer as Gloucestershire County Chairman for two seasons, later stepping into the role of Senior Teams Manager, —a position she held for an incredible 15 years, where she enjoyed watching players develop both as people and players. The job involved balls, kit, money collections from players for training and matches. Away matches meant travelling all over England playing in the English Counties League, and weekends away each season at the Inter-Counties Tournament.
Chris retired from netball with a knee injury, but after a knee replacement heard about the newly formed Walking Netball groups taking off and was persuaded to give it a go. Chris says this was the best decision she made, meeting up with players she hadn’t seen for many years, and with all abilities welcome, she felt very comfortable and learnt from experienced players and therefore improved her game.
After a second knee replacement, Chris went back to Walking Netball to build up her strength by walking around the court (with her sticks), doing balls skills and then got back into playing games. Chris played for two clubs, Gloucester Gems and Stroud Strollers, and enjoyed both as they all played in the spirit of the game and even got to play in some tournaments too. With other players retired from work Chris and others often meet for coffee.
Sadly, due to a terminal illness Chris stopped playing in November 2025 aged 85 ½. She shared the two factors that allowed her to keep going were two amazing knee replacements and the support from the club members. Chris said, “I was so fortunate and had a wonderful network of friends”.
Chris’s netball journey encompasses decades of dedication to the sport. From a young age as a team player and helping hand, to an instrumental county volunteer, to a committed and supportive member of the Walking Netball community. Throughout all, touching the lives of many on and beyond the court.
“Chris has been a huge part of my netball life and is one of the kindest people you could meet. Chris has always been genuinely supportive and during her reign as Team Manager made the best cakes ever for our gatherings at County fixtures! With regards to her netball, I love the fact that even up until she was recently playing, Chris still has had us smiling by doing creative crafty passes and fooling the defenders in the shooting circle. This always brought a giggle and smile to our faces. A true legend and stalwart who has given so much to netball over the years” – Gilly Salter.
On behalf of everyone at Netball South West, we would like to recognise and thank Chris for her unwavering support, contributions, dedication and passion for netball throughout her lifetime.
Comments Off on We’re Recruiting – Netball Development Officer (Dorset).
England Netball are currently recruiting for a Netball Development Officer – Dorset.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone to grow and drive netball in the county, maintaining a shared, insight driven plan aligning to our Adventure Strategy and purpose. The NDO will empower and support our clubs, leagues, partners, volunteers, and workforce to join with us in delivering outstanding participation opportunities for members and participants, whilst seeking income generation and funding opportunities. This role will support EN’s Adventure Strategy and will contribute to how we grow participation in netball across all life stages making it a game for life, providing extraordinary experiences and build a thriving collective within the sport.
If you are interested in joining our fantastic team, please see more details in the candidate pack here.
Comments Off on Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Netball South West!
We would like to wish all our members a joyful festive season filled with laughter, love and a well-deserved rest!
Thank you to all our volunteers, coaches, umpires, officials, players, members and supporters for making 2025 an incredible year for netball across the region. We can’t wait to see you back on or around a court in the new year and wish you all the best for 2026.
Please note, England Netball and the South West Regional Office will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 24th December and will re-open at 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.
We are excited to announce the upcoming Walking Netball Host Event, taking place on 23rd January 2026.
If you’re a Walking Netball Host, we’d love for you to join us and our panel of experts where you’ll get the opportunity to ask questions, meet other Walking Netball hosts, network and talk all things Walking Netball, Umpiring and NETBALLHer, before watching the season opener Team Bath NXTGen vs London Pulse.
If you’re interested in attending the Walking Netball Host Event, please contact Emily.Lemoir@englandnetball.co.uk for more information or to register your interest and book your place.
Please note, places are limited and we recommend you book as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.
We’re excited to announce that the NSW X WN Festival is back for 2026 and we’d love for as many Walking Netball teams as possible to join us!
Find out all the details below.
Sunday 1st February 2026
Bath University Sports Training Village, Bath, BA2 7AY (Indoor courts)
10am-3pm
£10 per person standard rate, £9 if you have an England Netball Walking Netball Subscription or £5 if you are a member of England Netball and Netball South West.
Supported by Netball South West, the festival will provide a fabulous experience with everything organised for you so all you have to do is turn up, play and enjoy.
• Indoor Venue
• A chance to play other teams and meet new people
• Umpires provided
• In it to win it (scored) or Wiggle & Giggle (not scored) – where numbers permit
• Medals
• First Aid trained staff
• The festival will be Over 50’s focused and although younger players are welcome to join us too, there will be a limit of 2 under 50s on court in a team at any one time.
If you’re interested in taking part, make sure you book your team space now by completing the Walking Netball Festival Form via the link below.
• Please complete the form for each team you are entering if you plan to enter more than one.
• Booking closes on Monday 12th January 2026 (or before if we reach capacity)
• After you’ve registered you will receive an email with details on how to pay by BACS and a team sheet to complete and send back to confirm your space. Your team space isn’t secured until payment has been made.
• If you have any questions, please contact Anna Young anna.young@englandnetball.co.uk.
Sunday 1st February 2026
Bath University Sports Training Village, Bath, BA2 7AY (Indoor courts)
10am-3pm
£10 per person standard rate, £9 if you have an England Netball Walking Netball Subscription or £5 if you are a member of England Netball and Netball South West.
Supported by Netball South West, the festival will provide a fabulous experience with everything organised for you so all you have to do is turn up, play and enjoy.