ABBEY ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
ABBEY NETBALL CLUB AGM
ONLINE - Annual Reports for 2021 -2022 Season
SUMMARY REPORT – CHAIR JO DAVIES
Greetings to Abbey Members Parents & Guardians
Thank goodness we are now back to some sort of normality with our netball. Thank you to all you players and parents for your support in some of the new measures we have had to endure, but it seems netball is now in full swing after 2 years of Covid interruptions. All 3 senior teams have managed a full season and the juniors had a bumpy start in Jan 2022 with defunct courts but got back into the swing again in February.
GENERAL
Training has been well attended by both Juniors and Seniors and with only a few cancellations caused by school use. However, matches for both seniors and juniors that play on the outside courts had a delay in January with the surface. Fortunately, this was sorted within a few weeks and restarted in Feb. On the plus side, the weather was kinder to us!
My huge thanks to all the committee members for the innovative ideas of how we can keep this club a success, taking into account the stop/start of training sessions, health & safety policies, Covid Rules and Regulations, Safeguarding, GDPR, finances, social media and Engage to name a few. Our committee have been working hard behind the scenes. Coaches/Captains keeping their squads updated with matches/training etc. Treasurer keeping up with memberships and payments/outgoings. Club Correspondence Secretary Sukey McMaster for her diligence and responding quickly to all sorts of queries and enquiries. Zoom meetings have replaced face to face meetings. The upside, no driving home after a long meeting! It’s still been a very busy year one way or another.
Ideally, I would like to see more people take on bite-size responsibilities within the junior and senior teams as this will lessen the load on the Coaches, Captains and Committee. Parents, please engage more with your daughters’ team as we have lots of small jobs at matches, duty days and club nights that we need help with. Please offer your services where you can eg, washing bibs, putting the equipment away after matches/training, organising a team social within your team etc. It’s good to get involved.
Junior Coaches – We have some fantastic coaches in Abbey, who work tirelessly with the players, also keeping you players/parents/guardians up to speed with training. Coaches are continuously trying new techniques, applying for higher coaching levels, attending first aid/safeguarding courses, umpiring and some also play themselves. They are great multitaskers! Our thanks to Jo Pearce (Junior Co-ordinator), Kerry Smith, Ella Thompson, Holly Chesser, Tash White & Sukey McMaster. Sadly, we are losing Jo Pearce, Kerry Smith & Holly Chesser. They were a fabulous asset to our club and I’m sure your daughters will always remember these special coaches. We wish them well. We do welcome Aimee Peacock who we know is very keen and enthusiastic and we are delighted she will be part of our Coaching Team. We will be recruiting more coaches over the summer.
Senior Coaching – My special thanks goes to Kate Ricks, Gemma Muttitt, Kerry Smith and Tash White for alternating the coaching/fitness and some fitness sessions taken by Aimee Peacock and Maddi Robinson.
From November we were most fortunate to secure Trish Kilczynski (Mavericks U19 Coach) to take our senior coaching every other week and attend a couple of the Hurricanes home games.
I have many more ‘thank yous’ that are further down in this report! Along with short summaries by each Captain/Coach of how each squad has fared during the past season.
We look forward to you joining us on Fri 13/5/22 at our Prizegiving Ceremony at Horspath Sports Centre, Oxford from 6.45pm onwards.
SUMMARY
PERFORMANCE
⦁ Bronze CAPs awarded October 2018 and lasts 4 years. Awaiting when next CAPS is due as been delayed due to Covid.
⦁ Website was updated (ongoing project!)
⦁ Partnership formed with Oxford Brookes University Sports Dept – Hurricanes home venue now.
⦁ New Netball Dresses for all Seniors.
COACHING
⦁ Senior Coaches – Trish Kilczynski & Abbey Seniors
⦁ Platinum Coaches – TBC
⦁ Gold Coaches – Ella Thompson & Aimee Peacock
⦁ Silver Coaches – Tash White & Sukey McMaster
⦁ Bronze Coaches – Tash White & Sukey McMaster
RECRUITMENT OF PLAYERS
⦁ Introduction of taster session for regional players and older juniors was organised for 27 Apr & 4 May at Rye, Headington. Advertised on social media and shared by Abbey Members.
THANK YOU
⦁ Massive thanks to Sukey who monitors the email account and admin for the Club. Keeping track of new enquiries senior and junior, league emails etc. It can be a relentless task especially beginning of the season. Your IT knowledge is helping us streamline certain paperwork to make life easier. You are so cool headed, efficient and I love your passion for the club.
⦁ My Vice Chair – Kate Ricks, always in the background giving me support and ideas, along with co-captaining Hurricanes. Another passionate club member.
⦁ S R Secretary – Sarah Whatman, communicates with the opposition with venue/timings plus all the other items that Netball South expects from us eg, Online Risk Assessment on match days, Codes of Conduct updates, Match Scores etc. A totally dependable role that Sarah manages really well.
⦁ Treasurer – Me (Jo Davies). Thankfully we have a new Treasurer Caitlin Williams.
⦁ Junior Co-ordinator – Jo Pearce thank you for your loyalty and service to Abbey for the past 6+ years and for co-ordinating the Juniors and Coaches. We will miss you and Kerry Smith very much.
⦁ Captains – Without your wise words and team handling, the matches wouldn’t go ahead, thank you for all the hard work you put into being a Captain and playing at the same time. Not an easy job either.
⦁ Safeguarding, DBS, GDPR, Risk Assessment, Method Statements and Covid Guidelines are all up to date thanks to Lesley Williams.
⦁ Hall Bookings – Thanks to our Bookings Secretary Becky Mailen who has ensured all slots are booked and reconciled for the Juniors and Seniors across Rye St Antony and Headington School for 2021/22.
⦁ All Members -Seniors & Juniors, without you this wouldn’t be possible. We trust you have enjoyed your season and thank you for choosing Abbey.
⦁ Senior Coaches – Your hard work does not go unnoticed. You make it fun, keep us all fit and feisty!
⦁ Junior Coaches – Your commitment to the girls and keeping parents informed is phenomenal.
⦁ Junior Helpers – Parents, your help and support is so welcomed and appreciated on match days.
⦁ Parents of Juniors, without your encouragement the girls wouldn’t be here today. We appreciate your commitment along with your daughters, ensuring they turn up to training regularly and match days.
⦁ Committee – I think you are all fantastic and I really appreciate all you do and in your spare time too. Your commitment makes Abbey the Club that it is today.
FOCUS FOR 2022 - 2023
⦁ Keep one training session for all senior teams
⦁ Attract more experienced players
⦁ Higher training attendance and ability across all senior & junior teams
⦁ Update Abbey Website regularly
⦁ More members to take Safeguarding courses/First Aid/Coaching/Umpiring
⦁ More members to take fitness/training sessions
⦁ Streamlining Membership Forms/Google Docs (less paperwork)
⦁ More members to join Easyfundraising
⦁ Bring Junior Team Names in line with Senior Team Names
⦁ Streamline Junior Subs & Match Fees
CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARYS REPORT – Sukey McMaster
Our aim at the start of the season was to minimise the form filling and hard copy paperwork that takes place at the beginning of the season for registration, codes of conduct and consents and I'm pleased to report that we have reduced this all down to one electronic Google Form per player.
The membership process at England Netball (although still not entirely without glitches) was considerably better than last year when the transfer over to the new system was activated. Thank you to all of you for persisting with it, particularly the parents, as it is the parent/junior memberships where we seem to see the most issues. We had considered the Club taking over the membership from parents but given the level of personal information required by England Netball we have on reflection decided that parent led membership is the better system. The committee supported those players and parents who had a problem with the website this year and will continue to do so. We hope the site will continue to improve as England Netball iron out the remaining problems.
Thank you to Jo for her unending support for this committee and club, and to all our players and members for being such a pleasure to work with.
TREASURERS REPORT – Jo Davies (Temp)
It is important to note that this report covers the clubs accounts for the year August 2020 to July 2021, not this current season. Our accounts always run 10 months behind our season when we have our May AGM. This is so we can try and ensure all costs are accounted for and not under/over-estimated.
The accounts for the year end 31 July 2021 show an income of £16116.45 and an expenditure of £6096.38 resulting in a profit of £10020.07 for the year. As you can see this was the period just after the Covid pandemic commenced which resulted us not having a full season or indeed indoor training. In the following years accounts (this season) we partly refunded juniors & seniors in September 21 if they were not continuing their membership and discounted existing members. These refunds and discounts will show up in the next set of accounts.
The Financial Statement is attached at bottom of this report and show we carried forward £16347.53.
We will endeavour to keep the annual fees and match fees as keen as we can.
UMPIRING REPORT – Jo Davies
All umpiring is organised by the ONDB (Oxfordshire Netball Development Board), however we still need to encourage umpires from age of 13 years. Initially an online course is sat before being mentored practically.
Congratulations to Aimee Peacock who passed her C Award this season and Sue Lyons for passing her B Award.
If you are interested in becoming an umpire, please contact me through the Abbey email account. It will build your confidence, give you a better understanding of the game and apparently a good CV point! Umpires can commence from age 13 years.
COACHING SECS REPORT – Jo Davies (Temp)
We were fortunate in securing Trish Kilcynski for alternate weeks for senior coaching. Trish is currently the U19 Mavericks Lead Coach. Her knowledge and experience is phenomenal and we all learnt so much this season. Trish intends to continue on the same basis next season. We are also very fortunate to have so many willing seniors who took the sessions in between Trish’s. Their knowledge and enthusiasm gave us different perspectives on our skills.
VOLUNTEERS REPORT – Gemma Muttit
Thank you very much to all the volunteers within the club for another year of selfless hard work. Thank you to the umpires, scorers, timers, primary careers, team managers, coaches, captains, committee members and supporters within the senior and junior section of the club. Without these people the club wouldn’t be able to operate and we are all extremely grateful. This has allowed us to spread the load within the club across more members. It was fantastic to see some new faces contributing and getting involved this year within the committee especially with the coaching.
A big thank you must go to Jo Pearce who is stepping down from her Junior Co-ordinator role this year. Jo has been very committed to Abbey Netball Club over the past year and has done an amazing job growing the junior section of the club. We would also like to thank Kerry Smith and Holly Chesser who are stepping down as junior coaches due to relocation, you will be thoroughly missed.
As a club we are always on the lookout for different/ new members of the club to contribute to the running of the club and provision of opportunities. Our club survives on people offering their time and support to see the club succeed year after year and it is very rewarding. Whatever role, big or small, you would be greatly appreciated and can find something to suit you.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT – Lauren Davies
Posts of training sessions and matches have been put on Instagram and Facebook. Please follow us if not already doing so. All match reports can be posted here with POMs etc. It’s a good way of keeping Abbey in the forefront of local netball and attracting new players. Ideally more team reports to be posted weekly.
CAPS (Club Action Planning Scheme) & SAFEGUARDING & COVID OFFICER – Lesley Williams
CAPS – November 2022 is the next update. This may be postponed due to Covid.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.... it requires us all to be aware of safety and wellbeing in its broadest physical and mental sense, for all members, but particularly for our young people, aged under 18.
During and coming out of lockdown, staged risk assessments and risk mitigation plans were formulated, with detailed guidance from England Netball. In theory, some of the C-19 safety procedures still apply but sanitising and distancing compliance is low.
We maintain lists of health and emergency contact information, in line with GDPR regulations, so all personal records are held and used securely.
Lead coaches are required to take the sports specific 'Safeguarding and protecting children' and First Aid courses; the former is available online so others could easily take it. Although I am the named Club Safeguarding Officer, I am not regularly at junior training so rely on Assistant CSOs to look out for any safeguarding or well being situations, however minor, and report to me.
All coaches of Juniors must be DBS check and everyone should be aware of Abbey NC's safeguarding structures and systems.
We are proud of the efficacy of our communication and practice.
ONLINE - Annual Reports for 2021 -2022 Season
SUMMARY REPORT – CHAIR JO DAVIES
Greetings to Abbey Members Parents & Guardians
Thank goodness we are now back to some sort of normality with our netball. Thank you to all you players and parents for your support in some of the new measures we have had to endure, but it seems netball is now in full swing after 2 years of Covid interruptions. All 3 senior teams have managed a full season and the juniors had a bumpy start in Jan 2022 with defunct courts but got back into the swing again in February.
GENERAL
Training has been well attended by both Juniors and Seniors and with only a few cancellations caused by school use. However, matches for both seniors and juniors that play on the outside courts had a delay in January with the surface. Fortunately, this was sorted within a few weeks and restarted in Feb. On the plus side, the weather was kinder to us!
My huge thanks to all the committee members for the innovative ideas of how we can keep this club a success, taking into account the stop/start of training sessions, health & safety policies, Covid Rules and Regulations, Safeguarding, GDPR, finances, social media and Engage to name a few. Our committee have been working hard behind the scenes. Coaches/Captains keeping their squads updated with matches/training etc. Treasurer keeping up with memberships and payments/outgoings. Club Correspondence Secretary Sukey McMaster for her diligence and responding quickly to all sorts of queries and enquiries. Zoom meetings have replaced face to face meetings. The upside, no driving home after a long meeting! It’s still been a very busy year one way or another.
Ideally, I would like to see more people take on bite-size responsibilities within the junior and senior teams as this will lessen the load on the Coaches, Captains and Committee. Parents, please engage more with your daughters’ team as we have lots of small jobs at matches, duty days and club nights that we need help with. Please offer your services where you can eg, washing bibs, putting the equipment away after matches/training, organising a team social within your team etc. It’s good to get involved.
Junior Coaches – We have some fantastic coaches in Abbey, who work tirelessly with the players, also keeping you players/parents/guardians up to speed with training. Coaches are continuously trying new techniques, applying for higher coaching levels, attending first aid/safeguarding courses, umpiring and some also play themselves. They are great multitaskers! Our thanks to Jo Pearce (Junior Co-ordinator), Kerry Smith, Ella Thompson, Holly Chesser, Tash White & Sukey McMaster. Sadly, we are losing Jo Pearce, Kerry Smith & Holly Chesser. They were a fabulous asset to our club and I’m sure your daughters will always remember these special coaches. We wish them well. We do welcome Aimee Peacock who we know is very keen and enthusiastic and we are delighted she will be part of our Coaching Team. We will be recruiting more coaches over the summer.
Senior Coaching – My special thanks goes to Kate Ricks, Gemma Muttitt, Kerry Smith and Tash White for alternating the coaching/fitness and some fitness sessions taken by Aimee Peacock and Maddi Robinson.
From November we were most fortunate to secure Trish Kilczynski (Mavericks U19 Coach) to take our senior coaching every other week and attend a couple of the Hurricanes home games.
I have many more ‘thank yous’ that are further down in this report! Along with short summaries by each Captain/Coach of how each squad has fared during the past season.
We look forward to you joining us on Fri 13/5/22 at our Prizegiving Ceremony at Horspath Sports Centre, Oxford from 6.45pm onwards.
SUMMARY
PERFORMANCE
⦁ Bronze CAPs awarded October 2018 and lasts 4 years. Awaiting when next CAPS is due as been delayed due to Covid.
⦁ Website was updated (ongoing project!)
⦁ Partnership formed with Oxford Brookes University Sports Dept – Hurricanes home venue now.
⦁ New Netball Dresses for all Seniors.
COACHING
⦁ Senior Coaches – Trish Kilczynski & Abbey Seniors
⦁ Platinum Coaches – TBC
⦁ Gold Coaches – Ella Thompson & Aimee Peacock
⦁ Silver Coaches – Tash White & Sukey McMaster
⦁ Bronze Coaches – Tash White & Sukey McMaster
RECRUITMENT OF PLAYERS
⦁ Introduction of taster session for regional players and older juniors was organised for 27 Apr & 4 May at Rye, Headington. Advertised on social media and shared by Abbey Members.
THANK YOU
⦁ Massive thanks to Sukey who monitors the email account and admin for the Club. Keeping track of new enquiries senior and junior, league emails etc. It can be a relentless task especially beginning of the season. Your IT knowledge is helping us streamline certain paperwork to make life easier. You are so cool headed, efficient and I love your passion for the club.
⦁ My Vice Chair – Kate Ricks, always in the background giving me support and ideas, along with co-captaining Hurricanes. Another passionate club member.
⦁ S R Secretary – Sarah Whatman, communicates with the opposition with venue/timings plus all the other items that Netball South expects from us eg, Online Risk Assessment on match days, Codes of Conduct updates, Match Scores etc. A totally dependable role that Sarah manages really well.
⦁ Treasurer – Me (Jo Davies). Thankfully we have a new Treasurer Caitlin Williams.
⦁ Junior Co-ordinator – Jo Pearce thank you for your loyalty and service to Abbey for the past 6+ years and for co-ordinating the Juniors and Coaches. We will miss you and Kerry Smith very much.
⦁ Captains – Without your wise words and team handling, the matches wouldn’t go ahead, thank you for all the hard work you put into being a Captain and playing at the same time. Not an easy job either.
⦁ Safeguarding, DBS, GDPR, Risk Assessment, Method Statements and Covid Guidelines are all up to date thanks to Lesley Williams.
⦁ Hall Bookings – Thanks to our Bookings Secretary Becky Mailen who has ensured all slots are booked and reconciled for the Juniors and Seniors across Rye St Antony and Headington School for 2021/22.
⦁ All Members -Seniors & Juniors, without you this wouldn’t be possible. We trust you have enjoyed your season and thank you for choosing Abbey.
⦁ Senior Coaches – Your hard work does not go unnoticed. You make it fun, keep us all fit and feisty!
⦁ Junior Coaches – Your commitment to the girls and keeping parents informed is phenomenal.
⦁ Junior Helpers – Parents, your help and support is so welcomed and appreciated on match days.
⦁ Parents of Juniors, without your encouragement the girls wouldn’t be here today. We appreciate your commitment along with your daughters, ensuring they turn up to training regularly and match days.
⦁ Committee – I think you are all fantastic and I really appreciate all you do and in your spare time too. Your commitment makes Abbey the Club that it is today.
FOCUS FOR 2022 - 2023
⦁ Keep one training session for all senior teams
⦁ Attract more experienced players
⦁ Higher training attendance and ability across all senior & junior teams
⦁ Update Abbey Website regularly
⦁ More members to take Safeguarding courses/First Aid/Coaching/Umpiring
⦁ More members to take fitness/training sessions
⦁ Streamlining Membership Forms/Google Docs (less paperwork)
⦁ More members to join Easyfundraising
⦁ Bring Junior Team Names in line with Senior Team Names
⦁ Streamline Junior Subs & Match Fees
CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARYS REPORT – Sukey McMaster
Our aim at the start of the season was to minimise the form filling and hard copy paperwork that takes place at the beginning of the season for registration, codes of conduct and consents and I'm pleased to report that we have reduced this all down to one electronic Google Form per player.
The membership process at England Netball (although still not entirely without glitches) was considerably better than last year when the transfer over to the new system was activated. Thank you to all of you for persisting with it, particularly the parents, as it is the parent/junior memberships where we seem to see the most issues. We had considered the Club taking over the membership from parents but given the level of personal information required by England Netball we have on reflection decided that parent led membership is the better system. The committee supported those players and parents who had a problem with the website this year and will continue to do so. We hope the site will continue to improve as England Netball iron out the remaining problems.
Thank you to Jo for her unending support for this committee and club, and to all our players and members for being such a pleasure to work with.
TREASURERS REPORT – Jo Davies (Temp)
It is important to note that this report covers the clubs accounts for the year August 2020 to July 2021, not this current season. Our accounts always run 10 months behind our season when we have our May AGM. This is so we can try and ensure all costs are accounted for and not under/over-estimated.
The accounts for the year end 31 July 2021 show an income of £16116.45 and an expenditure of £6096.38 resulting in a profit of £10020.07 for the year. As you can see this was the period just after the Covid pandemic commenced which resulted us not having a full season or indeed indoor training. In the following years accounts (this season) we partly refunded juniors & seniors in September 21 if they were not continuing their membership and discounted existing members. These refunds and discounts will show up in the next set of accounts.
The Financial Statement is attached at bottom of this report and show we carried forward £16347.53.
We will endeavour to keep the annual fees and match fees as keen as we can.
UMPIRING REPORT – Jo Davies
All umpiring is organised by the ONDB (Oxfordshire Netball Development Board), however we still need to encourage umpires from age of 13 years. Initially an online course is sat before being mentored practically.
Congratulations to Aimee Peacock who passed her C Award this season and Sue Lyons for passing her B Award.
If you are interested in becoming an umpire, please contact me through the Abbey email account. It will build your confidence, give you a better understanding of the game and apparently a good CV point! Umpires can commence from age 13 years.
COACHING SECS REPORT – Jo Davies (Temp)
We were fortunate in securing Trish Kilcynski for alternate weeks for senior coaching. Trish is currently the U19 Mavericks Lead Coach. Her knowledge and experience is phenomenal and we all learnt so much this season. Trish intends to continue on the same basis next season. We are also very fortunate to have so many willing seniors who took the sessions in between Trish’s. Their knowledge and enthusiasm gave us different perspectives on our skills.
VOLUNTEERS REPORT – Gemma Muttit
Thank you very much to all the volunteers within the club for another year of selfless hard work. Thank you to the umpires, scorers, timers, primary careers, team managers, coaches, captains, committee members and supporters within the senior and junior section of the club. Without these people the club wouldn’t be able to operate and we are all extremely grateful. This has allowed us to spread the load within the club across more members. It was fantastic to see some new faces contributing and getting involved this year within the committee especially with the coaching.
A big thank you must go to Jo Pearce who is stepping down from her Junior Co-ordinator role this year. Jo has been very committed to Abbey Netball Club over the past year and has done an amazing job growing the junior section of the club. We would also like to thank Kerry Smith and Holly Chesser who are stepping down as junior coaches due to relocation, you will be thoroughly missed.
As a club we are always on the lookout for different/ new members of the club to contribute to the running of the club and provision of opportunities. Our club survives on people offering their time and support to see the club succeed year after year and it is very rewarding. Whatever role, big or small, you would be greatly appreciated and can find something to suit you.
SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT – Lauren Davies
Posts of training sessions and matches have been put on Instagram and Facebook. Please follow us if not already doing so. All match reports can be posted here with POMs etc. It’s a good way of keeping Abbey in the forefront of local netball and attracting new players. Ideally more team reports to be posted weekly.
CAPS (Club Action Planning Scheme) & SAFEGUARDING & COVID OFFICER – Lesley Williams
CAPS – November 2022 is the next update. This may be postponed due to Covid.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.... it requires us all to be aware of safety and wellbeing in its broadest physical and mental sense, for all members, but particularly for our young people, aged under 18.
During and coming out of lockdown, staged risk assessments and risk mitigation plans were formulated, with detailed guidance from England Netball. In theory, some of the C-19 safety procedures still apply but sanitising and distancing compliance is low.
We maintain lists of health and emergency contact information, in line with GDPR regulations, so all personal records are held and used securely.
Lead coaches are required to take the sports specific 'Safeguarding and protecting children' and First Aid courses; the former is available online so others could easily take it. Although I am the named Club Safeguarding Officer, I am not regularly at junior training so rely on Assistant CSOs to look out for any safeguarding or well being situations, however minor, and report to me.
All coaches of Juniors must be DBS check and everyone should be aware of Abbey NC's safeguarding structures and systems.
We are proud of the efficacy of our communication and practice.
U16's win their Division and the Versatility Tournament! (17/18)
The U16's (Fireflies) topped off winning their division this season (17/18) with a win at the Versatility tournament.
Their performance at the tournament was made even more credible by the fact that the team consisted of 13, 14, 15 and 16 year olds. In addition to this 3 of the players from this team will be joining a team in the senior league over the summer, a great example of how Abbey have developed its players.
Their performance at the tournament was made even more credible by the fact that the team consisted of 13, 14, 15 and 16 year olds. In addition to this 3 of the players from this team will be joining a team in the senior league over the summer, a great example of how Abbey have developed its players.
Lesley's Wingwalk!
At around 1.10 pm, Lesley Williams completed her promised crazy, scary 10 minute ‘wingwalk’ - it’s actually a ‘wingsit’ but that’s doesn’t sound quite so challenging - strapped in a rig on the top of a 1945 Boeing Stearman biplane at Chiltern Air Park, Ipsden near Wallingford. A week on, she is still searching for the most accurate adjectives to describe the experience : surreal, stimulating, exciting….. but is not admitting to fun.
'It was a sunny day so the view from 500 feet was beautiful. We didn’t loop the loop but banked quite steeply several times and there was one dive, increasing the speed from 80mph to 130mph. At that speed, it’s very windy (!) so waving is difficult and the worst problem was a runny nose! Thus the video taken by the wing-mounted camera shows several inelegant sleeve wipes!'
Lesley ‘won’ the flight in a Dorchester Festival online charity auction, which benefitted the Sue Ryder hospice, Nettlebed, and used it to raise funds for Christian Aid and for Oxfordshire Outdoor Learning Trust. As at 11 September, she has more than £500 Christian Aid sponsorship and over £1,000 for OOLT : there is still time to add more!
Contact the Oxford Office if you would like to donate to Christian Aid by sponsoring Lesley in retrospect!
Christian Aid New Road Baptist Church Bonn Square Oxford OX1 1LQ
01865 246818 / [email protected]
'It was a sunny day so the view from 500 feet was beautiful. We didn’t loop the loop but banked quite steeply several times and there was one dive, increasing the speed from 80mph to 130mph. At that speed, it’s very windy (!) so waving is difficult and the worst problem was a runny nose! Thus the video taken by the wing-mounted camera shows several inelegant sleeve wipes!'
Lesley ‘won’ the flight in a Dorchester Festival online charity auction, which benefitted the Sue Ryder hospice, Nettlebed, and used it to raise funds for Christian Aid and for Oxfordshire Outdoor Learning Trust. As at 11 September, she has more than £500 Christian Aid sponsorship and over £1,000 for OOLT : there is still time to add more!
Contact the Oxford Office if you would like to donate to Christian Aid by sponsoring Lesley in retrospect!
Christian Aid New Road Baptist Church Bonn Square Oxford OX1 1LQ
01865 246818 / [email protected]
Abbey Awards Night, May 5th, 2017
The Abbey Netball Club awards took place at the Ashmolean Museum, an impressive setting for a night of celebration. The room was filled with over 100 Senior and Junior players plus their friends and family. The night featured awards for both the Senior and Junior teams amounting to over 40 awards! The cheers were particularly loud for the Junior award winners, it was great to hear the support for their fellow team members. Kate and Sue summed up the season beautifully, acknowledging the journeys of all the teams, including their highs and lows. The night also provided a great opportunity to thank all the committee members, parents, volunteers and supporters, without whom our club would not exist.
Award winners were as follows;
Senior Teams;
Hurricanes
Most Improved - Patience Lewis
Player of the Year - Kelsey Ashworth
Team Member of the Year - Kirsty Heath
Ice
Most Improved - Lydia Lyons
Player of the Year - Naida Burton
Team Member of the Year - Sue Lyons
Lightening
Most Improved - Amelia Crew
Player of the Year - Cathy Tuke
Team Member of the Year - Lucy Barnes
Storm
Most Improved - Lucy Harrison
Player of the Year - Hannah Whitehouse
Team Member of the Year - Sharon Johnson
Chair's Award - Jo Davies
Club Member of the Year - Sue Lyons
Cat Award - Gemma Muttitt
Mr Tickle (interceptions) - Ibiye Crook
Mr Bump (falling over) - Lauren Davies
Umpire of the Year - Cecily Basil
Junior Teams;
U12
Fireflies
Players Player - Ruby Ilsley
Most Committed - Bea Gelling
Most Improved - Stephanie
Coaches' Award - Grace O'Gorman
Bluebirds
Players Player - Kathryn Niland
Most Committed - Katie Lackenby
Most Improved - Bea Dixon-Young
Coaches' Award - Emma Lackenby
U14
Fireflies
Players Player - Petch Sophastienphong, Lizzie Pearce, Sophie Clargo
Most Committed - Sophie Tyler
Most Improved - Amy Gibbon
Coaches' Award - Karis Ball
Bluebirds
Players Player - Ophelia King
Most Committed - Poppy Harris
Most Improved - Binta Soumare, Maddie Marks
Coaches' Award - Hannah Train
U16
Fireflies
Players Player - Sabina Sulola
Most Committed - Emily Curtis
Most Improved - Charlotte Webster
Coaches' Award - Jess Madden-Waite
Bluebirds
Players Player - Sophia Lumulo
Most Committed - Hannah Betts
Most Improved - Katie Barnes
Coaches' Award - Caitlin Platt
Award winners were as follows;
Senior Teams;
Hurricanes
Most Improved - Patience Lewis
Player of the Year - Kelsey Ashworth
Team Member of the Year - Kirsty Heath
Ice
Most Improved - Lydia Lyons
Player of the Year - Naida Burton
Team Member of the Year - Sue Lyons
Lightening
Most Improved - Amelia Crew
Player of the Year - Cathy Tuke
Team Member of the Year - Lucy Barnes
Storm
Most Improved - Lucy Harrison
Player of the Year - Hannah Whitehouse
Team Member of the Year - Sharon Johnson
Chair's Award - Jo Davies
Club Member of the Year - Sue Lyons
Cat Award - Gemma Muttitt
Mr Tickle (interceptions) - Ibiye Crook
Mr Bump (falling over) - Lauren Davies
Umpire of the Year - Cecily Basil
Junior Teams;
U12
Fireflies
Players Player - Ruby Ilsley
Most Committed - Bea Gelling
Most Improved - Stephanie
Coaches' Award - Grace O'Gorman
Bluebirds
Players Player - Kathryn Niland
Most Committed - Katie Lackenby
Most Improved - Bea Dixon-Young
Coaches' Award - Emma Lackenby
U14
Fireflies
Players Player - Petch Sophastienphong, Lizzie Pearce, Sophie Clargo
Most Committed - Sophie Tyler
Most Improved - Amy Gibbon
Coaches' Award - Karis Ball
Bluebirds
Players Player - Ophelia King
Most Committed - Poppy Harris
Most Improved - Binta Soumare, Maddie Marks
Coaches' Award - Hannah Train
U16
Fireflies
Players Player - Sabina Sulola
Most Committed - Emily Curtis
Most Improved - Charlotte Webster
Coaches' Award - Jess Madden-Waite
Bluebirds
Players Player - Sophia Lumulo
Most Committed - Hannah Betts
Most Improved - Katie Barnes
Coaches' Award - Caitlin Platt
Player Profiles - Edition 2
The second edition of our Player Profiles features Vicky Knowlden, a Storm player and Sue Lyons, an Ice Player
- Name: Vicky Knowlden
- Team and position: Storm WD
- What's the one thing you can't live without? Friends and Family
- Word for word, what was the last text message you received? I was just about to say this. How are you getting to work babe?
- Most embarrassing moment? Getting up to recieve a prize (thrilled) for winning the raffle at the Abbey End of Season party a couple of years ago, only to be told I had the wrong colour ticket ...never going to live it down!
- Where were you born? Barnet
- Do you have any pets? No
- What is your favourite sport to watch? Netball obvs and anything to do with the Olympics
- How long have you played for the club? I've played for the club for 4 years as an adult, but also played as a junior for 4 years a long time ago!!
- What is your favourite pre-match meal? Usually half a sandwich as I rush from work to the courts!
- Nickname on the pitch, and if you don’t have one what would it be? No nicknames on court but I like to create unofficial team names. We've been Abbey Dolphins, Abbey Red Sox and now Abbey Storm-troopers.
1. Name: Sue Lyons
2. Team and position: Ice, GS
3. What's the one thing you can't live without? Sadly, my Blackberry, my life revolves around it.
4. Word for word, what was the last text message you received? ‘Pls can you pick me up’
5. Most embarrassing moment? Accidently walking into a men’s loo; well not actually the walking in as it was empty when I went in. It wasn’t until I had to leave the cubicle, wash my hands and walk out that I was really embarrassed!
6. What/who is your biggest inspiration? My best friend Mairi. I always tried to be as smart (and cool!) as her.
7. What makes you laugh? Too many mojitos!
8. What have you always wanted to do, but never done? I always wanted to be a ballerina. Sadly, I think it’s a bit late now – although never say never!
9. What are you passionate about? Education (and netball!) – excellent opportunities for all.
10. Where were you born? In a small village hospital in Usk (South Wales). Apparently there were only 3 beds!
11. Do you have any pets? We have a chicken called Toffee, she’s very friendly and will sit at my feet when I’m in the garden.
12. What is your favourite sport to watch? Netball of course!
13. How long have you played for the club? 3 years in September.
14. What is your favourite pre-match meal? Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon
15. Top netballing tip? Lots of shooting practice - 100 shots a day!
16. Nickname on the pitch, and if you don’t have one what would it be? I don’t have one – I don’t think so anyway??
2. Team and position: Ice, GS
3. What's the one thing you can't live without? Sadly, my Blackberry, my life revolves around it.
4. Word for word, what was the last text message you received? ‘Pls can you pick me up’
5. Most embarrassing moment? Accidently walking into a men’s loo; well not actually the walking in as it was empty when I went in. It wasn’t until I had to leave the cubicle, wash my hands and walk out that I was really embarrassed!
6. What/who is your biggest inspiration? My best friend Mairi. I always tried to be as smart (and cool!) as her.
7. What makes you laugh? Too many mojitos!
8. What have you always wanted to do, but never done? I always wanted to be a ballerina. Sadly, I think it’s a bit late now – although never say never!
9. What are you passionate about? Education (and netball!) – excellent opportunities for all.
10. Where were you born? In a small village hospital in Usk (South Wales). Apparently there were only 3 beds!
11. Do you have any pets? We have a chicken called Toffee, she’s very friendly and will sit at my feet when I’m in the garden.
12. What is your favourite sport to watch? Netball of course!
13. How long have you played for the club? 3 years in September.
14. What is your favourite pre-match meal? Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon
15. Top netballing tip? Lots of shooting practice - 100 shots a day!
16. Nickname on the pitch, and if you don’t have one what would it be? I don’t have one – I don’t think so anyway??
Player Profiles - Edition 1
The first edition of our Player Profiles features Kate Ricks and Gemma Muttitt, both South Region players....
- Name: Kate Ricks
- Team and position: South Region/Hurricanes WA/GA/C
- What's the one thing you can't live without? My family and chocolate!
- Word for word, what was the last text message you received? I got them in Mallorca! Not sure how long they will last!!
- Most embarrassing moment? I’ve had quite a few but probably falling through a deck chair in front of lots of people at a BBQ. Netball related - flying into the crowd and falling onto someone’s lap!
- What/who is your biggest inspiration? My mum
- What makes you laugh? My kids
- What have you always wanted to do, but never done? Bungee jumped
- What are you passionate about? Netball of course!
- Where were you born? Hemel Hempstead, GB
- Do you have any pets? No! We killed the fish and made our Cat mad!
- What is your favourite sport to watch? Netball (and tennis)
- How long have you played for the club? 4 yrs and as a junior way back when!
- What is your favourite pre-match meal? Toast and a banana!
- Top netballing tip? Meet the ball and fight hard!
- Nickname on the pitch, and if you don’t have one what would it be? Hoops!!!
- Name: Gemma Muttitt
- Team and position: Abbey Hurricanes, Defence- preferably WD
- What's the one thing you can't live without? Nice food
- Word for word, what was the last text message you received? Not very interesting! "Well done- we have just had some breakfast and have left you some bacon, eggs and french stick. See you in a bit"
- Most embarrassing moment? Recently falling off a piano stool when somebody tapped me on the shoulder from behind at my end of term staff party and smacking my head on the floor in front of the headmaster has to be up there. Needless to say I was slightly intoxicated which made it easier!
- What/who is your biggest inspiration? The Abbey South Region Team when I was an U13 and Serena Guthrie/ Jess Ennis
- What makes you laugh? Immature and/or bad jokes
- What have you always wanted to do, but never done? Travelled around America
- What are you passionate about? Competitive sport
- Where were you born? John Radcliffe, Oxford
- Do you have any pets? Family Dog, Nolfolk Terrier called Jarvie
- What is your favourite sport to watch? Netball, Football and Cricket
- How long have you played for the club? 13 years (with some years away at Uni in the middle), going into my 9th season this year.
- What is your favourite pre-match meal? Porridge topped with blueberries on a South Region Sunday
- Top netballing tip? Big arms defence!
- Nickname on the court, and if you don’t have one what would it be? Gem
Lets get Quizzical
This years quiz night will take place on Friday the 14th of October....save the date!
Get Ready for the New Rules!
Please find below a summary of the rule changes in netball that will be effective from the 1st of September 2016. These are INF rules specifically for international play, variations will occur at other levels such as the timing and team bench requirements. These will be specified by the individual league committees. We will use training to clarify and practice these new rules.
Abbey are Recruiting Regional Players
The Senior Regional Team are currently recruiting players for the 16/17 season. We particularly need Shooters and Centre Court Players. Please use the 'contact us' page for more details.
Abbey strut their stuff in Bournemouth!
The team closely missed out on the winners trophy losing to Roundwood A in the final.
Fireflies team win Oxfordshire U12 Versatility Tournament!
Congratulations girls! Some fantastic netball and a well deserved win. Well done!
Abbey Awards Night 2016 #OneClubOneTeam
What a fantastic evening for the Abbey Awards Night. Congratulations to all of the winners and a big THANK YOU to our wonderful social secs for organizing a brilliant night.
Pre-season strength and conditioning training at Priority 6
You are officially invited to the Abbey NC End of Season Awards Night & AGM 2016!
Friday 6th May
7:15 for prompt 7:30 start Vaults and Garden, 1 Radcliffe Square, Oxford OX1 4AH This is a free event, with finger food provided and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic!) that will be available to buy from the bar. There will be a short AGM, followed by the main event where prizes will be awarded to both juniors and seniors. Please RSVP via the following link to let us know whether you plan to come and to reserve your spot: http://goo.gl/forms/3bo85mi9ST. It should be a great night, so please come along! See you there! |
Want to join the 2016-2017 Committee?
There will be a number of opportunities to join the Abbey committee for the 2016-2017 season. We have always had a very fun, active and progressive committee; who do their best in trying to create an amazing netball club for all. We are looking to fill a number of positions at the AGM so please let us know if you are interested.
Congratulations Lizzie!
Congratulations to Lizzie, one of our U12s, who has been selected to be part of the Oxfordshire Development Group. A great achievement – well done Lizzie!
Abbey Juniors March Taster
Abbey win for the town!
A great club effort on Saturday (6 Feb) secured the convincing win over Oxford University. The ‘Oxford day of sport’ (5 in total), came down to this last game where Abbey won 35-17, resulting in the ‘Town’ winning the event overall – well done Abbey!
Huge thanks go to not only the team of ‘Abbey Ice and friends’, but also to Jo our umpire, the support of some seniors, friends and family, and juniors too – who were not only very loud in their support but a couple of our U12s also made a fantastic banner.
A great whole club effort – well done Abbey!
Huge thanks go to not only the team of ‘Abbey Ice and friends’, but also to Jo our umpire, the support of some seniors, friends and family, and juniors too – who were not only very loud in their support but a couple of our U12s also made a fantastic banner.
A great whole club effort – well done Abbey!
Pre-season training
Great pre-season session at Priority 6 over the last few weeks. One more to go next week so don't miss out! Email the Abbey account to book yourself a place.
Nifty over 50
Who spotted Abbey’s Lesley Williams in the latest Netball magazine?
Winter League Trials - Dates for your diary
Trials for the 2015-2016 season will take place at Rye St Antony School in Oxford from the end of August. If you're looking to join a new club, or are a seasoned veteran, do come along! We ask that you try and make at least 2 trial dates.
20th August 19:30 to 21:30 - Pre-season training
27th August 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 1
3rd September 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 2
10th September 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 3
Find out more here!
20th August 19:30 to 21:30 - Pre-season training
27th August 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 1
3rd September 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 2
10th September 19:30 to 22:00 - Trial 3
Find out more here!
Storming victory for Captain Alix's last game
Abbey Storm say a fond farewell to Captain Alix Gould who played her last match with the club this Thursday. We saw her off in style with a 55/12 victory. Good luck Alix, we'll miss you!
Stormtroopers on tour
Sixteen teams, including a team from Abbey (of course!), gathered at Exeter University Sports Park facility for the SuperEx Tournament. The team fought hard and got through to the semi finals... then went for a well earned Sunday roast! Read the courtside comments for a full run down of the games.
2015/2016 Winter League Trial dates
Announcing the launch of the new Abbey Netball Club dress!
We are very pleased to announce that after a trial by the South Region team we are going to roll out the new Abbey dress for all senior teams for the 15/16 season.
As the dresses are bespoke there is a long lead time and we are therefore asking all players to order a dress now so that we have them in time for the winter season. For more information contact [email protected]
As the dresses are bespoke there is a long lead time and we are therefore asking all players to order a dress now so that we have them in time for the winter season. For more information contact [email protected]
Lesley Williams, Netball South Goalden Globe Award
South Regional Tournament winners
9 players recently travelled to Farnborough, with our chief supporter and mascot, Archie, to compete in a South Regional Tournament. It was a grueling but enjoyable day. Unfazed by the very early morning start, torrential downpour and lack of subs, we played hard and won the tournament by just two goals' difference! Well done team!
Jo Davies, Umpire of the Year
We are very proud to announce that, not only did our wonderful Umpire Secretary Jo Davies win Oxfordshire's Umpire of the Year Award, she also went on to win the Regional Golden Globe Award! Congratulations Jo, and thank you for all your hard work!