Did you know that 62% of Netball Scotland members are below the age of 21?

The VOICES: Young People’s Forum has been set up to make sure we represent our younger members, listen to what they have to say and support them on their Netball journey. So far, our Forums have been well attended and of great value to those who have taken part.

Our next Young People Forums will take place on:

• Wednesday the 27^th of January (6:30pm-7:30pm)
• Friday the 29^th of January (6:30pm-7:30pm)

If you would like to attend or if you have any questions please email ross.hutton@netballscotland.com

We will be joined by Netball Scotland Board Director, and Board Wellbeing Champion Lucy Faulkner who will deliver a session on creating your own Vision Board which is a great way for you to display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life.

Netball Scotland are pleased to announce the appointment of former Chair, Freda Hutchison MBE, as the inaugural President of the organisation.

This prestigious new role sees Freda take on an important ambassadorial position for the organisation where she will be a public figurehead for the sport and its people, both domestically and on the international stage. A champion for our members, and an inspirational representative of the values and ambitions of Netball in Scotland, Freda will support and advocate for the work of the Board and staff.

As a previous Chair of the Netball Scotland Board from 2011 to 2017, Freda has contributed to the outstanding progress of Netball in Scotland setting the pace for meaningful change.  Outside of Netball, Freda has had an impressive career in education spanning 36 years, holding multiple teaching roles including Head of PE, Principle Teacher and Equal Opportunities and Development Support Officer, before being appointed as the Head Teacher at Earnock High School and then finally at Calderside Academy before her retirement in 2010.

Since joining Netball Scotland’s Board of Directors in 2010 Freda has dedicated herself to boosting the sport’s growth and profile, an achievement which was recognised in December 2018 when she was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace for Services to Netball.

Speaking on her appointment, Freda says: “I feel very honoured and proud to be appointed as the first ever President of Netball Scotland. As a previous Chair of the Netball Scotland Board until 2017, I’m absolutely delighted to be involved again. I look forward to working with the new Chair, Ed Crozier, whilst supporting the fantastic and ongoing progress achieved by our CEO, Claire Nelson, the Board, the Netball Scotland staff and also all of our hard-working volunteers.

I am very excited to get started soon in my new role as President. I will wholeheartedly support Netball Scotland’s tremendous work ethic and extensive developmental initiatives to ensure we enhance our profile and status both at home and on the world stage. I want to play a very positive part in achieving this vision of our Netball future.”

As part of her role as President, Freda will continue the work she began on the Netball Scotland Board and will be a visible champion for driving participation, involvement, and opportunities within Netball.

Claire Nelson, CEO of Netball Scotland added: “I am beyond delighted to welcome the incredible Freda Hutchison MBE into this high profile new role with Netball Scotland. As we continue to grow as a sport we felt it was important to ensure that we had an organisational figurehead who would not only be an impassioned, respected and influential ambassador for Netball in Scotland, but that would also provide our members, fans and volunteers with a champion who would effectively engage, listen and represent their views to the staff and Board.

Freda appointed me as CEO back in 2015 and has supported my vision and drive for our sport ever since, and so it brings me absolute joy to announce her as our first ever President. I know that she will do all of us, and our sport, proud throughout her term of office.”

Freda will commence her role in the new year.

Netball Scotland are delighted to announce that Ed Crozier has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board. He will be replacing Pam Radage who has been interim Chair since Caroline Mansley stepped down from the role due to personal reasons last year.

No stranger to the world of sport, Ed was the 126th President of the Scottish Rugby Union and served on the Board of the SRU through a period of significant transition and growth into the successful professional sport it is today. Formerly a rugby referee, Ed is passionate about grassroots and community sport and has long been a champion for women in sport.

Professionally, Ed is an executive producer in film and theatre, and joins Netball Scotland after having completed two terms as Chair of Dancebase Scotland where he was instrumental in leading transformational change for the organisation and it’s members. Ed has also worked at Senior Partner level in the financial services industry and was also a founding Director of Glasgow Life CIC Board so brings with him an extensive portfolio of expertise across sport, business, politics, culture and finance.

Speaking about his new appointment Ed says: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Netball Scotland as Chair and am excited to start working with Claire Nelson and the wonderful staff and Board in the organisation to further realise the ongoing potential of Netball in Scotland, both on and off the court. Collectively we have huge ambitions for the sport, from growing opportunities for everyone to connect with the game at a community and grassroots level to increasing our impact and engagement with young people in schools. At an elite level, we want to see our National Team, the Scottish Thistles, progress up the world rankings with a real focus on achieving our best ever results at the Netball World Cup in South Africa 2023, and developing our Superleague Franchise, the Strathclyde Sirens, into a fully professional team that challenges for the UK League title.

There has been a huge movement happening in women’s sport, with netball at the forefront of increasing visibility, innovating through digital and developing new opportunities for women and girls to play, volunteer, watch, coach, officiate and support – I am thrilled and extremely motivated to be a part of the next important stage of this journey.”

CEO of Netball Scotland, Claire Nelson, added: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Ed as the new Chair of Netball Scotland. He is joining the organisation at probably one of the most critical times in our history as we navigate our way through this pandemic and focus on rebuilding into being a stronger, bigger and more successful sport, brand and business for the future. Ed understands and is passionate about our vision for netball and we believe that his proven track record, his expertise and his profile will help us to achieve our ambitions as a sport and organisation. I am really looking forward to working with Ed as we continue to keep #ChangingTheGame for netball and for women’s sport in Scotland.”

Interim Chair of Netball Scotland, Pam Radage, added: “I am so pleased that Ed is joining our Board at this crucial time. He adds a lot of strength and profile to the organisation and we believe that he is absolutely the person to lead us through the challenges we face as a result of COVID and onto realising our strategic vision and ambitions. Ed’s experience provides our sport and members with a great opportunity to learn, grow and develop, and I am confident that it will be an exciting time ahead for all of us.”

Ed officially commences his role on 1st December 2020.

FWB Park Brown Ltd led the search process for the Netball Scotland Chair.

Based on the First Ministers update as of the 23^rd of October the temporary restrictions placed upon the Central Belt are to be extended until the indicative date of the 2^nd of November.

Below is an update on information regarding Netball Activities. A full breakdown of general restrictions can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Temporary restrictions affecting Central Belt areas only:

The central belt is defined as:

• Ayrshire & Arran Health Board, comprising North, South and East Ayrshire
• Forth Valley Health Board, comprising Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling
• Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, comprising Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde.
• Lanarkshire Health Board, comprising North and South Lanarkshire
• Lothian Health Board, comprising the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian

TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS UP TO AND INCLUDING 2^ND OF NOVEMBER:

Adults (18+)                                                                                                                                                  

• Adults 18 years of age and over are not permitted to take part in indoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

The above temporary measures come into force at 00:01 Saturday the 10^th of October and will run until 6am on Monday the 2^nd of November 2020.

WHAT IS STILL PERMITTED:

Children (11 and Under)

• Children under 12 years of age can continue to take part in organised indoor non-contact Netball Training and Fitness Activities and Modified Game Play under the Fun 5z Modified Resources Pack.
• Children under 12 years of age can continue to take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities and Modified Game Play under the Fun 5z Modified Resources Pack.

Children and Young People (12-17)

• Children and young people under 18 years of age can continue to take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

• Young adults under 18 years of age can continue to take part in indoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

Adults (18+)

• Adults (18 years of age or older) can take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities if all relevant guidance is followed.

ALL OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS:

There are no changes to the current guidance around netball training and fitness activity for other areas of Scotland. Full details of our current Phase 4A Guidance can be found on our #NetballReady Hub.

NEW COVID-19 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:

The first Minister also announced the expected start date for the new COVID-19 Strategic Framework for Scotland. Netball Scotland are currently working with sportscotland and the Scottish Government to understand what this means for our sport and we will update the Netball Family when we know more.

We are awaiting further confirmation on what these new restrictions will mean for our anticipated move to Phase 4B of the return to Netball Route Map on the 2^nd of November and we will update our #NetballReady guidance when the updated information becomes available.

In the meantime we remain in Phase 4A. You can find our most recent guidance on the #NetballReady Hub.

TRAVEL GUIDANCE:

We endorse the Scottish Government advice not to travel to the Central Belt from other areas and advise against using public transport where at all possible. As travel for netball activity is non-essential, Netball Scotland in line with Scottish Government advice, are asking people within the Central Belt not to travel outside their local health board area.

Netball Scotland understands this news can be frustrating for those of you working tirelessly to get #NetballReady, however we remain committed to working with you and across all partners in the sporting system for the safe return of our sport.

We must however be mindful of recent figures in all our decision making; the virus has not gone away, and we understand the very difficult decisions taken by Government as it continues to deal with the evolving situation. We wholeheartedly believe that our sport can be delivered safely and we will be working with partners including the Scottish Government and sportscotland to show that this is the case, we are striving to make further progress when the time is right and in line with the latest public health guidance.

On Wednesday the 7^th of October 2020 the First Minister announced the introduction of further restrictions across Scotland with additional temporary measures for the Central Belt.

Below is an update on information regarding Netball Activities. A full breakdown of general restrictions can be found on the Scottish Government website.

New temporary restrictions affecting Central Belt areas only:

The central belt is defined as:

• Ayrshire & Arran Health Board, comprising North, South and East Ayrshire
• Forth Valley Health Board, comprising Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling
• Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, comprising Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde.
• Lanarkshire Health Board, comprising North and South Lanarkshire
• Lothian Health Board, comprising the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian

TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS UP TO AND INCLUDING 25TH OF OCTOBER:

Adults (18+)                                                                                                                                                  

• Adults 18 years of age and over are not permitted to take part in indoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

The above temporary measures come into force at 00:01 Saturday the 10^th of October and will run until midnight on Sunday the 25^th of October 2020.

WHAT IS STILL PERMITTED:

Children (11 and Under)

• Children under 12 years of age can continue to take part in organised indoor non-contact Netball Training and Fitness Activities.
• Children under 12 years of age can continue to take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

Children and Young People (12-17)

• Children and young people under 18 years of age can continue to take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

• Young adults under 18 years of age can continue to take part in indoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities.

Adults (18+)

• Adults (18 years of age or older) can take part in organised outdoor non-contact netball training and fitness activities if all relevant guidance is followed.

ALL OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS:

There are no changes to the current guidance around netball training and fitness activity for other areas of Scotland. Full details of our current Phase 3A Guidance can be found on our #NetballReady Hub.

Travel Guidance:

We endorse the Scottish Government advice not to travel to the Central Belt from other areas and advise against using public transport where at all possible. As travel for netball activity is non-essential, Netball Scotland in line with Scottish Government advice, are asking people within the Central Belt not to travel outside their local health board area.

Netball Scotland understands this news can be frustrating for those of you working tirelessly to get #NetballReady, however we remain committed to working with you and across all partners in the sporting system for the safe return of our sport.

We must however be mindful of recent figures in all our decision making; the virus has not gone away, and we understand the very difficult decisions taken by Government as it continues to deal with the evolving situation. We wholeheartedly believe that our sport can be delivered safely and we will be working with partners including the Scottish Government and sportscotland to show that this is the case, we are striving to make further progress when the time is right and in line with the latest public health guidance.

Netball Scotland are excited to announce the formation of our first ever Players Advisory Group. Our Scottish Thistles, Strathclyde Sirens and U21 coaches and captains will come together to ensure the collective player voice is heard within Netball Scotland. These voices will optimise player experiences and environment, enhance future learnings, and innovate to shape future player experiences provided by Netball Scotland.

Claire Maxwell, Scottish Thistles Captain, has witnessed the rise of netball in Scotland as she has progressed through the athlete pathway from a young age and this next step is no exception: “I am delighted to have a Players Advisory Group launched in Scotland. Netball has seen a rapid growth in professionalism over the past decade and I am excited to be on board to help support the future of netball players in Scotland.”

Tamsin Greenway, Scottish Thistles National Coach, is looking forward to being an integral part of this step in the right direction for our athletes in Scotland: “This is such an important and forward thinking move by Netball Scotland to introduce the Netball Players Advisory Group. When you talk about creating a culture and building success, a player’s voice and opinion is so important. To work towards a common goal when you feel you’ve all been heard and valued is so powerful and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as a collective on this journey.”

In the creation of the Players Advisory Group, we have built a great relationship with the Netball Players Association (NPA) of which many of our players and coaches are a member of.  The NPA’s primary aim is to represent the player’s views on issues affecting professional and semi-professional netball players in the United Kingdom.

Liz Bloor, NPA Managing Director, had this to say: “Working with our Scottish members and Netball Scotland to establish this group has been a very positive start in establishing a strong working relationship between the NPA and Netball Scotland. We are looking forward to building on this by continuing to provide support services to our members which complement the Netball Scotland programmes and ensuring that the players voice is at the heart of the decision-making process.”

As a member of the NPA, Karen Atkinson, Strathclyde Sirens Technical Director, is looking forward to the opportunities this will bring for our athletes: “These are exciting times for Netball Scotland, the Scottish Thistles and Strathclyde Sirens as we work closely with the Netball Players Association.  I have always been a huge advocate of the NPA, it’s vision and of players having a voice at the performance level of the game so the creation of the Players Advisory Group will ensure that performance staff and players work closely on performance related matters to ensure there is open, clear, and transparent communication.  It is a real positive step forward for the game in Scotland.”

Netball Scotland CEO Claire Nelson added: “This is an important move for us as a sport and organisation. I have always advocated strongly for the player’s voice to be integral in key strategic and operational decision making and now through the formation of our new Advisory Group we can advance and improve on how we engage with our existing and future elite athletes in order to achieve our collective ambitions on the court. My thanks must go to the NPA for their support and guidance throughout the development and launch of the Group – I look forward to working closely with them as we strive to ensure netball leads the way in the support, development and protection of elite athletes.”