A host of inspiring and incredible individuals and organisations have been recognised for their contributions to the sport at the National ONE Awards.
The ONE Awards celebrates wonderful members of the Netball Family who are helping to lead a movement on and beyond the court in local communities up and down the country.
This year saw a record of 1,042 award nominations, leading to celebrations at the nine regional ONE Awards held earlier this year and with the winners of each of the 10 award categories being invited to last night’s celebrations.
England Netball CEO Fran Connolly welcomed more than 264 guests to the Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield and brought Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby and Netball World Cup debutants Funmi Fadoju and Olivia Tchine to the stage to acknowledge an historic summer after the team reached their first final.
There were 23 awards presented on the evening, starting with seven recipients of the Pass on Your Passion reward and recognition scheme acknowledging the contributions of some amazing young volunteers who have logged over 400 hours of volunteering.
A number of special awards were presented later in the evening. This included the Long Service Award for Barbara Warburton for her dedication to netball in Gloucestershire and the South West for the last 40 years, and the World Netball Service Award for Gordon Padley for his services to netball.
Mary Stanley, Joan Young and Kerrie Jones were also recognised for their outstanding commitment and promotion of the sport with Honorary Life Memberships.
The Special Recognition Award went to the Wiltshire County Netball Association to recognise the pioneering efforts of an amazing quartet who led the organisation of a brilliant netball festival held earlier this year, combining expert education on many female health topics in relation to our new education programme NETBALLHer.
Joan Mills, England Netball President, ended the night with closing remarks after presenting the Club of the Year Award to Dronfield Netball Club.
All the recipients and presenters on the evening can be found below:
2023 National One Awards Winners:
Pass on Your Passion, presented by Fran Connolly (England Netball CEO)
Lilli-May Schuck, Sydney Ward, Scarlett Lees, Freya Ingham, Amiee Hilton, Francesca Stafford, Katie Brooks-Shea.
Young Volunteer of the Year, presented by Ziana Butt (Young Volunteer of the Year 2022)
Alisha Gardener
Teacher of the Year, presented by Ziana Butt
Sophie Meister
Inclusion Award, presented by Jennifer Thomas (England Netball Senior Independent Director)
Asia Liaqat & Women’s Netball League
Coach of the Year – Children & Young People, presented by Jess Thirlby (Vitality Roses Head Coach)
Nichola Lawless
Coach of the Year, presented by Jess Thirlby
Linda Andrews
Community Official of the Year, presented by Sheelagh Redpath
Jane Kelloe
Long Service Award, presented by Bridget Blow (England Netball Chair)
Barbara Warburton
World Netball Service Award, presented by Clare Briegal (World Netball CEO)
Gordon Padley
Honorary Life Members, presented by Fran Connolly
Mary Stanley, Joan Young & Kerrie Jones
Special Recognition Award, presented by Fran Connolly
Wiltshire County Netball Association
Pioneer of the Year, presented by Imogen Greatbatch, England Netball Head of Volunteering
Julie Smith
Outstanding Contribution of the Year, presented by Imogen Greatbatch
Donna Osborn
Unsung Hero of the Year, presented by Jess Thirlby
Alice Turner
Club of the Year, presented by Joan Mills, (England Netball President)
Dronfield Netball Club
Netball could not happen without the thousands of volunteers who help to make our incredible sport what it is.
If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering in netball, click here.
