January 6 2026 | Zoe Barrett
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.