Volunteers honoured at 2024 ONE Awards

Recognising the ONEs who help make netball happen, the ONE Awards shine a spotlight on the volunteers who make a difference to netball across the country. Coaches, officials, administrators and more, those recognised by the ONE Awards have all had immeasurable impacts on their local netball communities. Congratulations one and all!

From a total of 1,239 nominations, 12 awards were handed out at the National ONE Awards ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum & National Conference Centre in Solihull on 19 October. The event was hosted by former Olympic athlete Katharine Merry with 250 guests in attendance, including Future Rose Jas Brown and Birmingham Panthers Head Coach Jo Trip.

Here is a full rundown of the winners, decided by a national panel led by England Netball President Joan Mills.

Young Volunteer of the Year:

Ellie Taylor (North West)

Ellie facilitates junior volunteers as part of a coaching plan at Phoenix Netball Club in Liverpool, allowing older players to pass on their passion to children in year two and three. She provides a voice to all members, which ensures the club fosters an environment where young players can thrive.

Teacher of the Year:

Sarah Wilcox (South)

A PE teacher at Amersham School, Sarah dedicates many hours a week to teaching over 80 children in extra-curricular netball, training over 20 squads, organising fixtures against other schools, entering tournaments and arranging netball-related school trips.

Inclusion Award:

Cosmopolitan Roses – Haroona Zaman and Sadia Hussain (South)

Cosmopolitan Roses Netball Academy aims to tackle the under-representation of Asian and Muslim netball players. Haroona and Sadia aspire to see netball thrive globally while empowering individuals to realise their full potential.

Coach of the Year – Children and Young People:

Elizabeth Roche (London & South East)

Elizabeth has gone above and beyond by supporting a player and their parents this season. The player has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, and even though she has not been playing netball recently, Elizabeth has continued to get her involved with her team and club.

Coach of the Year – Adults:

Joanna Roberts (London & South East)

Joanna runs sessions for a mixed-ability group aged from their 20s to 50s. A dedicated coach, she successfully flexes the session to suit the numbers, fitness levels, health conditions and weather, often going above and beyond what is required.

Community Official of the Year:

Sara Bostock (East Midlands)

Sara’s dedication to training and mentoring officials has been instrumental in shaping the future of officiating across the East Midlands and beyond. Her leadership as the Technical Official Lead Coordinator for Loughborough Lightning has ensured top-notch officiating standards in all competitions within both the region, the Netball Super League and international fixtures.

Pioneer of the Year:

Leanne Hobin (North West)

Leanne is the founder of a grassroots club. Under her stewardship, St Helens Bees Netball Club has witnessed a remarkable 64 per cent growth in the past year, creating a nurturing environment where girls as young as three can embrace the sport.

Outstanding Contribution of the Year:

Jenny Taylor (North West)

Jenny’s dedication and passion for netball is phenomenal. She mentors new coaches at Empire Netball Club and coordinates the Merseyside Junior League, organising venues and fixtures and facilitating 65 teams playing netball every week.

Unsung Hero of the Year:

Stacey Boxall (South)

Stacey embodies everything that is positive, proactive and innovative about junior netball development. She has been instrumental in establishing a new junior development league in Sussex, catering for 38 teams across four age groups, enabling developing young players to access regular competition in a safe and nurturing environment.

Club of the Year:

Penketh Panthers (North West)

Run entirely by volunteers, Penketh Panthers is inclusive to all who want to play netball, and their philosophy of fun, fitness, fair play, friendship and family is at the heart of every planned activity, training session, award ceremony and fixture.

Pass On Your Passion

Pass On Your Passion is England Netball’s reward and recognition scheme for dedicated young leaders aged 12-15. The individuals recognised this year are Alexia Samolia, Bethany Sherlock, Daisy Madden, Ellie Walsh, Isabelle Hall, Meg Smith, Millie Turner, Rebecca Bowen, Rosie Canterdale, Sophie Arnold and Sophia Hall.

Long Service Awards

Long Service Awards were awarded to three individuals who have contributed a phenomenal 25 years of service at county, regional, national and international level, dedicating significant time across varying roles to improve the lives of netballers around them.

Jackie Milsom

Jackie has been involved in volunteering in netball for more than 31 years. She was Derbyshire Fixtures Secretary and Team Manager from 1993-2005 and has been Team Manager for Loughborough Lightning in the Netball Super League since 2005.

Jan Newton

In 1986, Jan joined the Hertfordshire Officials Technical Group supporting C Award courses and promoting good umpiring. Since then, she has volunteered as a Table Official, Assessor, Mentor, Tournament Referee and Chairperson of the Hertfordshire County Netball League. Most recently, Jan has started running group mentoring sessions for new umpires who have completed the online course – a popular and invaluable resource for all those involved.

Liz McIntyre

Described as “the go-to presence”, Liz is a real source of knowledge and support across the West Midlands but particularly within Warwickshire Netball. Always willing to lend a hand, Liz has and continues to volunteer across a variety of roles – from being an A Award umpire herself to County Umpire Lead and County Umpire Secretary, as well as a mentor, tutor and assessor.