Congratulations to the London & South East Regional Netball Association, Metropolitan Police and London Pulse whose netball experience day has been shortlisted at the 2021 London Sport Awards.
The netball experience day brought together 18 vulnerable young women from all backgrounds, deemed to be at risk of entering the justice system and/or gang grooming, to realise their potential through netball.
This was the first ever youth diversion day for girls and it is now in the running for the Uniting London Award which celebrates organisations and projects that utilise physical activity and sport to build cohesive communities by bringing people together to welcome and embrace ethnic, cultural, physical and other differences.
The day involved a skills session followed by match play, a Q&A with Pulse’s star goal shooter and Roses Future Olivia Tchine, plus a talk from Janet Hills MBE, the Chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association.
Discussing the event in June, Lucy Goodman, Regional Co-Ordinator from the London & South East Netball Association, said: “As a region that is tirelessly committed to empowering women through netball and knocking down participation barriers, it is incredible to see this initiative come to life.
“We believe in the power of sport as a vehicle for positive change, so our hope is that today has helped these young women begin to realise their potential and learn that netball is a sport where everyone is welcomed; where we can all feel like a member of the same team.”
Vitality Netball Superleague side London Pulse have also been shortlisted for the Elite Sport in the Community Award which recognises those that use their prominent position within a local community to improve lives whether that’s physical and mental wellbeing or wide social benefits.
Aiming to empower women and girls, their community work includes community camps, a multi-sport programme which develops young athletes, an “Educate, Train & Inspire” programme to provide over 400 young Pulse pathway athletes with skills outside of sport and the Metro Blind Sport Partnership – the first specific provision of netball for VI athletes in the world.
Over 270 nominations were received across the ten London Sport Awards categories with 12 industry experts facing a number of difficult decisions to select the shortlist.
The winners will be announced at the Guildhall in central London on Monday 6 December.
To find an England Netball participation programme that suits you, from Back to Netball to Netball Now, as well as your local club or league sessions, head to the Play section of our website here.
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