Netball Scotland celebrates 2025/26 Annual Award winners
21st September 2026
Netball Scotland is delighted to celebrate the winners of the 2025/26 Netball Scotland Annual Awards, recognising the people and clubs whose commitment, leadership and contribution continue to make a difference across our sport.
From grassroots clubs and schools to national and international competition, this year’s winners reflect the variety of ways people contribute to Netball across Scotland.
Club Coach of the Year – Sally Hetherington
Sally Hetherington of Bass Rocketeers Netball Club is the 2025/26 Club Coach of the Year.
Sally’s contribution stretches across almost every area of the club. She coaches adult and junior squads, supports school netball at North Berwick High School and plays an important role in developing coaches, volunteers and young players.
During the past year, Bass Rocketeers have enjoyed success across senior and junior competition, while nine players were selected for District squads and two progressed to the Scotland U15 squad.
Beyond results, Sally has helped create a welcoming club culture where players of different ages and abilities can develop, build confidence and find their own place within netball.
Junior Club of the Year – Peterhead Netball Club
Just three years after being established, Peterhead Netball Club has been named Junior Club of the Year.
Created to address a lack of local opportunities for young players, the club has grown to almost 100 junior members, providing netball from Mini Nets through to U17 level.
Its impact extends beyond competition. Junior players are beginning their own coaching journeys, volunteers have gained coaching and umpiring qualifications and the club has explored wheelchair netball as part of its commitment to making the sport more accessible.
The club has also built strong links with local schools and the wider community, creating a pathway for more young people in Peterhead to discover and stay involved in netball.
Match Bench Official of the Year – Frances-Anne Doyle
Frances-Anne Doyle has been recognised as Match Bench Official of the Year following an outstanding year in technical officiating.
Frances served as Bench Co-ordinator Lead at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, building on her previous Commonwealth Games experience at Glasgow 2014.
She has also acted as Netball Scotland Technical Official Lead at major events including the Celtic Cup and New Zealand Test Series, bringing accuracy, professionalism and leadership to some of the biggest fixtures on the calendar.
Alongside her technical officiating commitments, Frances continues to contribute extensively as a coach across university, National League and national pathway netball.
RecNet/Walking Club of the Year – EDNC RecNet
East Dunbartonshire Netball Club’s RecNet section takes home the RecNet/Walking Club of the Year award.
Bringing together players aged from 16 to 60, EDNC RecNet has created an environment where people can enjoy netball socially, return to the sport or develop towards competitive league netball.
Players are also encouraged to explore coaching and umpiring, with the club supporting qualifications and mentoring.
At the heart of the section is a strong sense of community, with an emphasis on keeping participation welcoming, accessible and affordable while helping people remain active and connected through netball.
Senior Club of the Year – Valkyries Netball Club
In its first season, Valkyries Netball Club has been named Senior Club of the Year.
Established in 2025, Valkyries created an alternative route into competitive netball for women whose circumstances can make traditional club structures difficult to access.
The club went unbeaten to win CENA Division 5 and reached the Netball Scotland Quaich semi-final, while building a supportive environment focused on keeping women involved in the game.
Its members have also contributed to the wider sport through coaching and umpiring, demonstrating how a small and relatively new club can make an impact both on and beyond the court.
The Eilish Herron Young Coach of the Year – Samantha Wilde
Samantha Wilde of West Lothian Netters has been named The Eilish Herron Young Coach of the Year.
Since joining the club as a 19-year-old coach in 2022, Samantha has helped develop a pathway stretching from primary-age netball through to senior adult teams.
Now independently coaching U15, U17 and senior sides, she has become a trusted leader who combines player development with a strong focus on confidence, wellbeing and belonging.
Samantha also supports other coaches and is helping players who have grown through the club begin their own coaching journeys, creating a lasting pathway for future players and leaders.
Umpire of the Year – Rita Venermo
Rita Venermo has been recognised as Umpire of the Year following another significant year of development and high-level appointments.
Her consistency and performances have seen her appointed to major domestic fixtures including the Scottish Cup and National League Finals.
Rita’s progression has also been recognised outside Scotland through invitations and appointments from England Netball, Europe Netball and World Netball.
Her continued commitment to developing as an official, alongside the professionalism she demonstrates on court, has established her as one of Scotland’s leading umpires and an example to others progressing through the umpiring pathway.
Volunteer of the Year – Grace Carson
Grace Carson of Angus Netball is the 2025/26 Volunteer of the Year.
Grace plays a central role in keeping netball thriving across Angus, contributing countless hours to the organisation and development of the club.
Her work ranges from managing facilities and fixtures to fundraising, promotion and supporting links with other clubs, while helping Angus provide opportunities from U13 through to U19 level.
She also continues to contribute as a coach and umpire wherever she can, while encouraging players, volunteers and parents to become involved.
Her commitment has helped create a sustainable pathway for young people to continue playing netball beyond school and has been instrumental in the continued growth of the sport across Angus.
School Achiever of the Year – Robbie Ross
Robbie Ross of Inverness Royal Academy is this year’s School Achiever of the Year.
Over four years, Robbie has helped transform netball provision at the school, leading weekly sessions, coaching, umpiring and supporting the organisation of teams and tournaments.
The school club has grown from having barely enough players for one team to providing opportunities across every age group, including mixed netball.
Robbie has also volunteered at Lochardil Primary School and helped encourage younger players to remain involved as they move into secondary school.
His legacy continues through the next generation, with 12 pupils completing their Netball Leaders qualification and preparing to take greater responsibility for future sessions.
The Netball Scotland Annual Awards celebrate the individuals, teams and communities who give their time, skills and energy to our game.
Congratulations to all of our 2025/26 winners:
2025/26 Netball Scotland Award Winners
- Club Coach of the Year: Sally Hetherington – Bass Rocketeers Netball Club
- Junior Club of the Year: Peterhead Netball Club
- Match Bench Official of the Year: Frances-Anne Doyle – University of Strathclyde Netball Club
- RecNet/Walking Club of the Year: EDNC RecNet – East Dunbartonshire Netball Club
- Senior Club of the Year: Valkyries Netball Club
- The Eilish Herron Young Coach of the Year: Samantha Wilde – West Lothian Netters
- Umpire of the Year: Rita Venermo – Edinburgh District
- Volunteer of the Year: Grace Carson – Angus Netball
- School Achiever of the Year: Robbie Ross – Inverness Royal Academy
