Thank you to everyone who helped support our annual presentation evening, the D Team raffle, The Rugby Club and of course our members. Below is the low down on who won the awards on the night!
Player of the Season
A Team – Ashleigh Oakes
B Team – Denise Ibbetson
C Team – Emily Harrison
D Team – Holly Hemsley
E Team – Liz Newman, Anna Poulson and Heather Fraser
F Team – Katie Eaves
G Team – Verity Skelton
Players Player Award
This award is presented to the player who her team mates feel has made an impact this season. This could be on court when playing, leading the team on court, keeping an air of positivity in moments of difficulty, making younger players feel included or a bit of all of the above. The winners this year are…
A Team players player
Kate Chamberlain
Half way through last season Kate dropped the ‘sick bug’ on us AKA she was pregnant and she did not complete the season. Kate was still committed and was exercising weeks until the summer which saw the beautiful Charlotte be born. Kate was ready and raring to go at the beginning of this seasons, with her own concerns of how she was going to get on. It was as if she had never been gone for the 8 months she was! Her fitness and game play was still one of the best in the team. Kate has won this award as she works effortlessly consistently! Her speciality back handed interception is a trick up her sleeve that has turned over possession on many occasions this season. In the circle she is a ninja and goes for EVERY ball possible, not only does she do this in the circle, but when going down court she loves an overlapped run and then launching it in to the shooters if they get eye contact. Kate is the nicest, genuine, caring and loyal person that we all know and she has been a pleasure to be with on and off the court this season! Congrats Kate we all appreciate your butt busting efforts every game without fail – you are awesome and a HUGE ASSET to the team!
Bex Oldfield
The team seemed split between Kate and this other player, who has been an amazing attribute to the club and it certainly shows. She has been a dedicated coach, fundraiser and captain but most of all a dedicated team mate. She has motivated the team and kept spirits high and feisty! Her Bolchsy nickname matches her personality, and so the second player’s player award goes to Bex Oldfield!
B Team players player
Darcey Arrowsmith
I have had the pleasure of playing with and being captain to this player for the past two years. In some ways she has had a difficult season, disappointed to miss some games through injury or due to medical reasons. However she is committed to her team and club, and has grown in confidence and honed her skills over the two years, despite being regularly at the sharp end of the opposition ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘competitiveness’. She shared with me a personal target last season which I was really pleased to watch her achieve before Christmas – playing for the A team before starting university, and subsequently becoming regular sub for them throughout the season. Darcey is a well deserved winner of the B team players player award for the 16/17 season.
C Team players player
Lucy Masser
The comedian of the C Team has had them in stitches every training session and match over this season. Her energy on and off court runs through the whole team. There is never a dull moment with her and everyone appreciates it! So thank you for the good times, Lucy Masser.
Jo Oakes
Our second winner for the C team completely underestimates her ability on court, but from the attacking end we are constantly cheering her name. She really deserves this recognition for always being there, for not only the C team but the whole club! And we are extremely proud to award Jo Oakes a Player player award.
Jess Rainbow
The C team were very split on their votes, which goes to show how they all think so highly of each other. And so the third joint winner of this award is a very energetic and enthusiastic lady, who did a brilliant job at coping an impromtu captaincy position mid-way through the season, and somehow managed to get a full 7 players at each match regardless of the amount of injuries and work commitments. Our shooters soon came to realise that, whether they made eye contact or not, She would be throwing a long ball in to hopefully reach them in the circle. Despite our occasional concern for Emilys head, surprisingly, these almost always made it to a member of our team, much to her mums both worry and delight. Throughout the season, she developed both as a captain and as a player, ultimately pulling our team together and keeping us away from fear of relegation. We really couldn’t have got through this season without her. Congratulations, Jess Rainbow.
D Team players player
Holly Hemsley
This young lady has been a huge asset to our team this season , always calm on and off the court but always staying competitive . I ‘m very lucky not just as a captain to have a player of such caliber within the team but have the privilege of being her shooting buddy. Holly’s sharp shooting has been consistent throughout the matches , fantastic movement around the court and a whole lot of laughs along the way . I know that the rest of the D team have enjoyed playing alongside you this season.
E Team players player
Liz Newman
A new player to the club this season this lady has provided an abundance of energy and enthusiasm and has been a delightful team member. Always committed to fighting for every ball her game has come on strength by strength and she has become a valuable asset to the team. I was delighted when she joined the club & was selected into our team as she was the key player that we needed to add strength to our attack. We have developed a good understanding and all worked together really well.
As a person she is always happy and smiley full of fun and a very well liked member of the team. I am hoping that we can continue to play together next season!
F Team players player
Katie Eaves
This young player has been a great shooting asset to the team. Super speedy and determination has driven the team forward this year. Looking forward to seeing her grow at HLNC…well done Katie Eaves.
G Team players player
Verity Skelton
Vee has been a fabulous player on G team this season, probably earning POM more than anybody else. And its easy to see why. Energetic, dynamic, and competitive at GD (with some versatility at WD and C to boot), she’s a great team player. Always offering options and can be heard from roughly a thousand miles away with a “yep” as she charges into space. Vee has always got a laugh and a smile and an encouraging word, even when she’s sliced her hand open on the washing up! Overall lovely to have her on the team (plus she organises a cracking social!)
Player of the season
U16 – Jessica Perry
Jess works tirelessly on court and is a very versatile player. She is a lovely young lady who is pleasant, committed and enjoys her netball. She is one of the quieter ones on court, however her play and presence does not go a miss. Whether she has played any centre court position C, WA or WD she has worked 100% and gave every game her all. It is believed that she can also shoot – we haven’t yet experienced this in full force but I am sure we will going into next season. Jess has been a key player to this seasons centre court and has won many turn overs and broke down the opposition in order for us to counter. She always carries a smile on her face and a positive attitude no matter the score line. Jess is extremely humble, which is another reason I wanted to give her this award, she doesn’t realise how good of a player she is. Well done Jess, I look forward to coaching you again next season in the U16 squad. Remember – you are awesome, keep up the good work!
Carol Whittaker Young Talent Award
U14 – Summer Waldron
Summer has improved heaps and bounds as a shooter/goal attack this season working effortlessly to improve her shooting. She attended 1 to 1 sessions in which she practiced and practiced until pretty much perfect, before being selected for her school A team in Dubai as a result of her improvement. Other than her ability in the shooting circle, she is extremely agile moving into the circle and her confidence has grown dramatically throughout all aspects of the game. Summer is a lovely and delightful young lady who I will have the pleasure of coaching again next season as she has made the new U14 netball team. Well done Summer on a great and improving year at Hinckley Ladies!
U16 – Francesca Tomassoni
Fran is an extremely committed, pleasant, versatile and talented player of the U16 team. Not only has she been fantastic in her GA position but has gone above and beyond, taking one for the team at C and or Defence, and she still was fab! Fran is an invaluable member of the U16 squad, who enthuses, carries and has high expectations of the team, always reassuring and encouraging her team mates on and off the court. She has grown as a player and can read the game extremely well, breaking down oppositions play when moving down court with her awesome arms. No matter where she has played she has given 100% and I look forward to see her continue to progress next season in the U16 squad and hopefully remain at the club into seniors the following year! She will be an extremely influential player at seniors too! Well done Fran for an awesome season and thanks for leading the team in the way that you have, despite not the best of results.
Most Improved Player
Ede Roche
This next award is presented to a player who has taken on board the coaching and guidance provided at training sessions and games and has been nominated by members of the club as having shown significant improvement over the past season. This person has not only developed this season but is building year on year as she receives this award for the second year in a row, Ede Roche.
Coaches Award
Emma Draycott
This coaching award goes to someone who has improved heaps and bounds as a player! Not only that but this player is an amazing personality, extremely caring, absolutely lovely, generous and someone who we ALL love, being a really good friend to many of us. On court she is feisty and puts 1000000% effort in every fixture and can play with pretty much anyone as a partnership. When I have watched this person throughout the season she has grown and grown. On and off the court she is a fab listener and is keen to always improve her play, asking for advice on what she should do in certain situations both at fixtures and in training (that is if she is there on time). Her captain had the following to say about her ‘I am so proud, she is highly thought by all of the team and has had an exceptional season, blowing us all away. She has great discipline and her bubbly character enlightens everyone’s day. It has been a true honour and privilege to have this woman on my team, she is one in a million’ on the back of this…I am delighted to present and give this award to this player – for me it was a no brainer and I knew straight away who I was going to pick when I was told I had to. My final advice to this delight and asset to our club is JUMP emma! Congratulations Emma Draycott!
Clubwoman of the year
Bex Oldfield
It’s pretty obvious that this award should go to someone that has gone above and beyond for Hinckley Ladies. I can safely say the recipient of this award has done that, and in spades. I know that once I start you will know straight away who it is so I will keep this short. Despite only being with the club for a few years this person has thrown herself, full-hearted, into everything. Rousing and organising the rabble not only of her team but all senior and junior members as well at training, matches and events; she has taken on the committee, coaching, captaincy and playing and has not lost any of her loud and boisterous energy throughout the entire season. As I’m sure you have all worked it out this year’s clubswoman of the year goes to Bex Oldfield.
Chairperson Award
Bex Oldfield
As you can see everyone is very appreciative of all that you have done in your many roles and what you are continuing to do for us in preparation for the forthcoming season.
I know that many of us as players and on the committee have often needed, and appreciated, your frankness and guidance. Your effort and commitment to the club and its members and your support and hard work with the committee has, unsurprisingly, led to my decision to award you the Chair Persons Award as well.
Attendance Awards
The attendance award had changed slightly again this year. Attendance includes all coached training sessions, inter-club tournament nights and all competitive matches. We have decided to continue with the staged awards of bronze, silver and gold but we have changed the brackets, so let’s begin:
Bronze award for 90-94% are: Kate Chamberlain, Holly Hemsley, Susan Lea, Anna Ball, Ashleigh Oakes, Darcey Arrowsmith and Becky Kenney
Silver award for 95-99% is: Bex Oldfield
Gold – 100% – Carole Payne
Other Trophies:
End of Season tournament – Division 7 Winners
Division 5- Winners
Division 2 – Runners Up
I would like to say a big thank you to all of our volunteers that have helped out during this season. To all of our umpires; CP, Caron Ogden, Zoe Stokes, Holly, Hemsley, Lynda Sanders, Leanne Evans, Jayne Marlow, Kate Chamberlain and Laura Benz along with all of the external umpires we have used. Without you we would not be able to play the games we do. Playing and then sprinting off to another game, thank you.
To the numerous people who have gone down and helped out with the Juniors; without your help, it would have been very difficult.
To the coaches Bex Oldfield, Karen Malkin, Jayne Marlow, Lara Whitaker and Gemma Braga. So many coaches with different ideas and approaches, it was a shame that not all of them could see out the season but we have appreciated all support and direction to develop our teams, our play and often ourselves. Coaches do it for the love of imparting their knowledge on us as players, and we thank you for your time and dedication.
Lastly, I would like to thank the committee for everything they have done this year. Without your hard work this club wouldn’t exist, with all of the meetings, conflabs and late night messages that have gone on this year. All of the work that is done behind the scenes that people sometimes think about but often don’t realise the time, effort and commitment that goes into the roles that we all play. I cannot say thank you enough and I look forward to another year of fun-filled, jam-packed netball.
By Rebecca Kenney
(Chairperson)