Passing on her passion

It was Mental Health Awareness Week in mid-May, with the focus on how movement, and moving more, can boost our wellbeing.

England Netball member Millie, however, has had to find different ways to move her body while she’s been unable to play the sport she loves. Out with a second ACL injury in as many years and a ruptured meniscus, she faces both the physical and emotional challenges of the recovery process.

But despite being ruled out of playing the sport she’s loved since the age of seven, her passion for netball is as strong as ever.

“Even though I can’t currently play, I’m keeping involved in any way I can. It’s like a mad house over here with all my netball commitments! Volunteering has given me something to do so I’m not sat at home feeling sorry for myself and it’s definitely kept me in contact with everyone as well.

“I’m Youth Representative – the voice of the younger generation – for Netball South and being involved has given me that confidence that I can be sat there at 17 in a room of adults and have my opinion”.

Being an England Netball member is more than just a passport to play – it’s about being a part of something bigger, helping to protect, grow, nurture and champion our game today and for years to come.

Thanks to her membership, 17-year-old Millie was able to sign up with ease to complete both her Level 1 Coaching Award and Into Officiating Award as soon as she could.

There’s no stopping her there though as she’s already counting down the days to her 18th birthday in July when she’ll be able to do her Level 2 Coaching Award.

“A few years ago, I started coaching the junior sessions at my local club and began umpiring in my local league as they needed people. Ever since then, I’ve not stopped.”

Millie has been championing England Netball’s Pass On Your Passion (POYP) initiative for which over 700 young volunteers aged 12-25 are currently registered.

The concept is simple: get involved in volunteering in your local netball community, log the hours of work you’re doing, get rewarded!

“I loved to keep track of how many hours [of volunteering] I’d done and it racked up so quickly. It hadn’t even been a year and I was on nearly 300 hours.

“It’s really, really good to get involved and the benefits such as receiving a whistle, a jumper and getting to go to the ONE Awards [after completing 400 hours] are brilliant.

“We’ve got junior coaches at my club so I tell all of them to get on it and track their hours because it’s so worth it. I just love spreading the word and sharing my passion for netball – getting everyone involved is my biggest thing!”

Young volunteers are just one of many different groups of volunteers who are celebrated at the ONE Awards. The regional events are happening now, so if yours hasn’t taken place yet, take a look at your region’s social media channels to get all the details and see if there are any tickets left!

The awards spotlight the amazing people who volunteer and make netball happen, through varying roles like officiating, coaching, administration, supporting school netball activity, supporting clubs and local leagues, or helping drive inclusion and reaching new audiences in netball.