The 2017 Goalden Globe Awards took place on Saturday night as England Netball recognised and celebrated our incredible army of volunteers.
England Netball caught up with some of the award winners to get their reactions.
Thirteen deserving recipients picked up the National Long Service Award.
Speaking afterwards, Yvonne Adshead said: ‘I’m really honoured to achieve this award tonight.
Kim Burns added: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon to receive this award. It’s an honour and I’m just very grateful.’
Eight Pass on your Passion Awards were handed out with recipient Stephanie Cooper commenting: ‘I’m really proud of myself and just feel so happy for everybody else as well. It means a lot because I’ve done a lot of hard work to earn this.’
Fellow winner Abigail Blythe said: ‘I’m happy about winning the award because it shows that I have contributed to the netball community. It’s just a nice community to be involved in.’
Hannah Rowell picked up the Young Netball Volunteer Award for going above and beyond in her volunteering.
Cumberland Netball Club took home the Outstanding Netball Club Award after their commitment to providing outstanding netball opportunities to all.
Reaffirming the club’s desire and determination to continue to increase their membership, Kim North said: ‘I’m slightly shocked because Cumberland’s been going for about 14 years and some of these clubs have been around for a hundred.
‘We do not take this lightly and will endeavour to encourage children, mothers and girls to join us in our netball community.’
The Mary Bulloch Administrator Award was won by Lesley Robbins for her efforts at Team Bath Community Netball Club, while Katrina Venner picked up the Muriel McNally Grassroots Award for her work mentoring coaches and umpires.
Francesca Nutt collected the Grassroots Coach Award for her excellent work in providing young talented netballers a focused environment to progress through the Avon Academy performance pathway.
Asked how she felt, Francesca said: ‘I’m really humbled as there are some amazing coaches in the room and I just didn’t expect it.’
The Grassroots Officials Award went to Debbie Ashworth following her great work to tirelessly support and develop over 50 new umpires in Cornwall.
After delivering three training sessions for 70+ girls in addition to her normal responsibilities each week,Carol Duffy was rewarded with the Teacher Award.
The St Paul’s Academy teacher said: ‘It’s completely unexpected! As a teacher it’s just sort of one of the things that I love to do – it’s the best part of my job.
‘I’ve been at my school for four years now and when I started there was no netball, so setting up netball was one of the things I aimed to do and it’s just taken off.’
The winner of the Unsung Hero Award was Sarah Croft after her amazing efforts in encouraging people to have a go whether that is at junior level, Back to Netball or volunteering.
Sarah said: ‘I honestly came here just thinking it’s nice to come for the night out and I’ve ended up winning, which I just can’t believe.’
Recognised for her wonderful work as the founder and driving force of the Swindon Vixens – a netball club aimed at women who have Learning Disabilities – Maureen Squires was rewarded with the Inclusion and Diversity Award.
She said: ‘To actually be nominated for the award means a huge amount because the nomination comes from your peers, so that means everything.
‘To be shortlisted is fantastic and to actually win is amazing, truly amazing.’
It was a joint-celebration when the 2017 National Rose Award was announced with both Val Kindred and Mo Squires taking home a trophy after their fantastic work in their respective areas.
Val has secured almost £60,000 to develop junior netball in three locations across Leicester and devoted time to recruiting and training volunteer.
She said: ‘It means so much because I’ve been in netball for such a long time and it’s not just about me – it’s about everybody else who I’ve worked with and who have helped me to develop netball in Leicestershire.’
Mo has fondly been named the ‘founder’ of Walking Netball and participants can’t speak highly enough about her as a host.
‘This probably means even more than the Inclusion and Diversity Award really because I have seen the impact that Walking Netball has had.’
England Netball also welcomed Gilly Salter, Margaret Deighan and Jane Kelloe as Honorary Life Members.
Margaret said: ‘It means an awful lot to me. I’ve been involved in netball a long time and to be recognised by people within the netball association is just fantastic.’
Jane commented: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled, it’s a complete surprise – I’m totally delighted and thank you to everyone for all the nice things they’ve said about me.’
The evening was capped off with the presentation of a Special Recognition Award to Sheelagh Redpath for her tireless work and support for over 40 years to mould and develop the way the sport is umpired and officiated.
In her honour, the Grassroots Official Award will be known as the Sheelagh Redpath Officiating Award from next year.
Speaking after the presentation, Sheelagh said: ‘For once I am lost for words – and to have the award named after me, it’s a legacy.’
Read the report of the evening and full details about all the winners here.
