This years HLNC presentations were held at the glamerous venue; Sketchily Grange, Hinckley. To celebrate the club’s 40th Anniversary the ladies, friends and family of the club all came together for one evening of good food, cheesey music, a raffle and of course the most anticipated award presentations. For those who couldn’t make the evening please continuing reading for a breakdown of awards…
Our Chair, Claire Aspinall opened the evening:
“Welcome to Hinckley Ladies Netball Club’s 40th Anniversary Presentation. I feel so honoured to be standing here tonight as chairperson representing such a successful club. What I would have really loved to do for you all tonight is to have all the volunteers that have served on the clubs committee over the last 40 years here on the stage. In fact could I ask everyone in the room whom has held a position on the committee to stand up? I think you will all agree they deserve a round of applause.
Well – Congratulations Hinckley Ladies Netball Club – 40 years of fun, friendship … oh and a bit of netball! Once upon a time when polyester and corduroy garments were the height of fashion, when children the world over were sat in their living rooms peeling the stickers off a rubicks cube in frustration, a group of Hinckley Ladies swapped their flares for brown pleats and took to the netball court. This was the year that a woman ruled the country and Hinckley Ladies ruled the court. 40 years on and through good times and bad we are all here tonight to celebrate our club, our friendship and our much-loved sport.
Enjoy the evening, lets party and celebrate achievements, success and great friends. A toast to you all: To Hinckley Ladies Netball Club“
Commitment Awards – presented by Claire Aspinall
“The commitment awards for our seniors are made in recognition of a club member and team player that has attended and participated in all 28 coached training sessions and 18 league matches and for our juniors it is those that have attended 80% of the training sessions. The achievement of this award is a true testament to the dedication and commitment of these players.
They epitomise true team spirit and are exactly the kind of players we all want on our team”
Senior: Carole Payne, Kate Chamberlain & Leanne Evans
Junior: Jade Isaac, Tian Vivian, Jess MacFarlane, Amy Saunders & Amy Hemsworth
Player of the Season – presented by Claire Aspinall
“Our team players are awarded the accolade of player of the match by the opposition after each league game. It’s an absolute honour to receive such a nomination each week from your peers on the opposing team. With it they are verbalising the players skill on court as they have observed it throughout the game. To be recognised in this way time and time again however is a true reflection of a players consistent skill.”
U14s – Tian Vivian & Jade Isaac
U16s – Emily Lawrie
A Team – Carol Payne & Kate Chamberlain
B Team – Holly Hemsley and Emily Harrison
C Team – Rebecca Kenney
D Team – Shannon Davis & Laura Williams
E Team – Darcey Arrowsmith
F Team –Ella Wilkinson & Lucy Ibbetson
Players Player – Presented by Gemma Braga
A Team
Her captain said: This player typified the type of netball player everyone wants in their team. A supportive, committed and reliable team member. She is this and more. She loves her netball and that is clear to see on court. I speak for everyone in the A team, when I say that the team wouldn’t be half as good without her in it.
A Team Players Player – Kate Chamberlain
B Team
Her coach said: She has an enviable team ethic so it is no wonder she has been nominated by her team for this award. She controls the game with grace and skill and fully engages with the needs of her team. Her work rate is second to none, meek and mild on the outside but when she is on court, you know the game has begun. Her style of play and commitment to her team is admired by all.
B Team Players Player – Caron Ogden
C Team
Her captain said: She is a loyal and committed member of the team. Works hard but also knows how to play hard!
C Team Players Player – Jessica Burke
D Team
Her captain said: She is the fun bubbly member of our team, always smiling and making us all laugh. As captain it’s been great to have her in the team, a fantastic GD working hard every match and showing great improvement as the season went on. A well deserved and no surprise, players player.
D Team Players Player – Laura Williams
E Team
Her coach said: This player is reliable and always delivers a consistent performance. She brings a calming influence to her fellow teammates by her demeanour on court and by using her experience, is both encouraging and supportive to the younger members of the team.
E Team Players Player – Anita King
F Team
Her coach said: This young player has made a great impact in her first season with her ability on court and has shown maturity beyond her years. Despite some tough matches against some very experienced shooters, she continued to play hard for the full 60 minutes, never giving up and has added experience and understanding to her game throughout the season. When taken out of her comfort zone in the defensive end, she again displayed her maturity by embracing the switch and making a great impression in the shooting circle too. A delightful young lady with a great netball career ahead of her.
F Team Players Player – Ella Wilkinson
Other awards – Presented by Claire Aspinall
“Our next awards are given retrospectively of our success as a club throughout the year and whilst some of these awards might seem old news to many of you they still have a pride of place in recognising the skill and success of all the players that took the Hinckley Ladies Netball Club brand further afield.
I would like you all to join me in congratulating the;”
North West Leicester League – Winners (players: Rebecca Mayfield, Carol Payne, Rebecca Kenney, Bec Oldfield, Holly Hemsley, Gail Lavery, Emma Draycott, Karen Malkin Team captained and coached by Gemma Braga)
Nets Tournament – Winners (players: Gemma Braga, Emma Draycott, Kate Chamberlain, Leanne Evans)
“We are very lucky to be part of such an inclusive league as the Coventry & Warwickshire League. Fronted by a fantastic committee they not only ensure we get our regular fix of competitive netball throughout the season but do so much to raise the profile of netball regionally.
We are delighted to have been recognised this year at their annual presentation awards and once again please join me in congratulating;”
End of season tournament – Winners C and F Team
End of season tournament – Runners up D team
Most sporting team this season – D Team
Most Improved Player – Presented by Gemma Braga
“Having made the transition from junior to senior netball, this player struggled initially with the more physical nature of the senior game and the stronger enforcement of the rules. However, as the season went on, she worked hard at training and took on board what was being coached, and the improvement shown on court was rapid and very noticeable. Mentally too she became stronger and her confidence grew and this also showed in all aspects of her game. She has learnt how to be a real team player, looking to support the rest of her teammates both on and off court and I am sure she will continue the development of her game next season.”
Most improved player – Lucy Ibbetson
Coaches Award – Presented by Karen Malkin
“Hinckley Ladies has so many skilled and talented players, each year it’s getting harder and harder to choose the recipient of the coaches’ award. Each coach has their own ideas as to what the Coaches’ award is for but ultimately there are a few main qualities that we all look for. These include the commitment to learn and willingness to improve not only your individual skills but also the skills it takes to work as part of a team. The ability to be, and stay, focused on the task in hand, whether that be learning a new skill or improving on an old one. To be able to take those new found skills from training and put them into practice in match play. And last but no means least to show enjoyment of the sport and all that you are and can still achieve. And so for the winner! This player was nominated more than once and is a fantastic netballer. Not only does she show all the aforementioned qualities but her work rate is phenomenal, especially in a game. At the beginning of the season I had a few conversations with this player to convince her that she had the skill and ability to trial for the A team. She decided to go for it and not surprisingly got in. She never gives up, even if she is being battered by, more often than not, taller opposition and even if it’s a tough game has a cheeky smile and some witty comment at quarter time to lift the rest of the team. She has grown in confidence throughout the season, and can hold her head high at the quality of her game. This player has definitely proved that she is worthy of this award.”
Coaches award – Anna Kinsella-Askham
Carol Whitaker – Young Talent Award – Introduced by Claire Aspinall
“This next award is made in memory of a very special lady Carol Whitaker.
Carol is a true inspiration with over 35 years of dedication and commitment to Hinckley Ladies Netball Club, Carol not only continued to play netball during this time but to volunteer in many roles to support the development of sportswomen of all ages.
As a qualified umpire and accredited coach Carol provided guidance and support for club members and players across the region, significantly and positively impacting on their development and skills. Carol also continued to push her own playing abilities to the limit in order to consistently support her fellow team members in gaining promotions in competitive leagues.
But it’s the everlasting legacy of the clubs junior section that Carol is responsible for. Carol not only established the junior section but also continued to develop the skills and abilities of girls’ aged 11-18 as a voluntary coach for the club. Passionate about youth sport Carol along with her sister Jayne took netball out to the community supporting local junior schools as guest coaches. Carol was not only responsible for developing club members in to professional regional and county netball players but importantly for inspiring many young girls to lead active and healthy lifestyles.
It is therefore absolutely fitting that we introduce the Carole Whitaker – Young Talent Award.”
Carol Whitaker – Young Talent Award (Under 16’s) – Presented by Jayne Marlow
“This award goes to a young player whom puts in 110% effort both in training and in her match play. She is driven, competitive and so incredibly humble with it. This young player has an enormous amount of talent. She has a mature awareness of the game, superb discipline, great movement and an astounding ability to zone mark at this young age. She soaks up the skills at training like a sponge and consistently applies it to her game play. Furthermore she is a well-liked and well-respected member of the clubs Junior section. This player exudes talent – one to watch!”
Young Talent award – Emily Lawrie
Carol Whitaker – Young Talent Award (Under 14’s) – Presented by Jayne Marlow
“The recipient of this award is vivacious, energetic and incredibly determined. Despite her very young age she shows real maturity in her game play. She is determined and driven to be the best she can both in match play and in training. She is a real livewire on court, her feisty character and competitive nature shine through in her game play and importantly she demonstrates absolute respect for her opposition at all times.
Joining us at the beginning of the season this young player was fairly new to the game of netball. Week on week she has attended training, listened, observed, understood and put in to practice her learning. She has embraced her steep learning curve and through it has been self-critical but reflective. She seeks to understand mistakes she makes on court, reaching out to the umpires and coaches for advice
She is a real team player and an absolute pleasure to coach.”
Young Talent award – Jade Isaac
Clubswoman of the Year – Presented by Claire Aspinall
“This award is made in recognition of the club member who has shown dedication and commitment to the club and its members throughout the season. This club member can be easily described with just a few adjectives; Analytical, Efficient, Organised, and supportive. She puts her passion for Hinckley Ladies Netball Club and all its members at the heart of everything she does. She has, for many years volunteered as a committee member, and as a key representative of Hinckley Ladies Netball Club she epitomises our brand values always delivering on our clubs mission. Members take inspiration from her court play as one of the clubs highest scoring shooters in a game! She channels her passion for the game and the club through our Back to Netball Programme and our Juniors. As a club coach just one of her voluntary capacities she brings netball to life. Her ideas might be a little wild at times but her commitment is infectious I am absolutely honoured to have her as my Vice Chair this year and the club couldn’t ask for a better future chair. Of course I am referring to Gemma Braga.”
Clubwoman of the year – Gemma Braga
ChairPersons Award – Presented by Claire Aspinall
“This year the chairs award goes to a very special lady whom epitomises everything Hinckley Ladies Netball Club Stands for. She is the ultimate ambassador for our club. Her natural warm and friendly nature is something we will all have experienced over the years. She ensures that she is very often one of the first people that new members meet, and is the reason they stay. She welcomes them with open arms and gives them the best flavour of what our club is about making all of our jobs easier. She is enthusiastic both on and off court, demonstrates a consistent quality of play, is fully supportive of her team members and is always on the sideline encouraging others. She is always generous in giving; compliments, congratulations, special mentions and advice to fellow club members and she always delivers those special little touches that no one else would have thought of; such as the after match celebratory drinks.
Over the years she has taken on various committee roles ensuring that the needs of the members are always at the heart of all committee decisions.
She’s an inspiration to us all – putting Hinckley Ladies at the forefront whilst still maintaining a perfect balance of family life. And the very special thing about this person is that she will be listening to all these words now and still unwise to the fact it’s he
r receiving this award – why – because with the these words her thoughts will have turned to every one of you in this club because she thinks the world of all of you and has so much space in her heart for us all.
Hinckley Ladies Netball Club is honoured to have you as one of its members; we cherish your friendship you mean so very much to us.”
Chairpersons Award – Jo Oakes
Recognition- Presented by Claire Aspinall
give special recognition to three ladies in the room whom have spent a number of years simply giving to the club. All three of them are long standing members of the club and I’m sure between them they will tell you the number of cumulative years. What is special about these ladies is that week in week out; year after year they have immersed themselves in the smooth running of our club to benefit each and every one of us here. As coaches, umpires, committee members and players collectively they have allowed us to understand the game we love so much, to be skilled at the game we love so much and to enjoy the game we love so much.“I mentioned volunteers earlier but tonight in particular with 40 years heritage I would like to
Now its time for us to give back to them.”
Recognition Award – Jayne Marlow, Carol Payne and Karen Malkin
We hope you all had a wonderful evening and are looking forward to the future season of 2015/16 to win more fantastic awards and recognition for the Hinckley Ladies Netball Club!