Margaret Thompson (left) with Margaret Cassidy
England Netball are saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Thompson and share this beautiful memory written by our friends from Tyne and Wear Netball.
Always known as “Miss Thompson”, Margaret worked alongside Margaret Cassidy to establish Northumberland as one of the leading netball counties during the 50s and 60s.
Margaret played for the county from 1950 to 1957 before concentrating on her umpiring and umpire development. An international umpire she accompanied the England team to the West Indies in 1969 as well as officiating matches in England. She served at a national level on the AENA (All England Netball Association) Executive, Umpires Committee and was a Panel Umpire Tester and was made an Honorary Life Member of England Netball – one of a very select group.
In 1956, Margaret was appointed Northumberland County Secretary and served for many, many years on the County Committee – Northumberland as well as Tyne and Wear. She was a regular face around the courts at county matches and the county league, supporting and developing umpires in particular. She was very approachable and always happy to help and encourage.
Margaret was without doubt an “unsung hero” of netball both locally and nationally. She will be remembered fondly by scores of netballers in our region and further afield. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family at this time.
