‘What started as a few casual games turned into a life-changing journey in leadership, community, and sport.’
At school, I played netball a few times and really enjoyed it, but my main focus was always on dance and gymnastics. I never imagined netball would one day play such a big role in my life.
That all changed while working as a Recruitment Consultant at The Synergy Group. One day, I interviewed a candidate who happened to run a netball club called the Highbury Groovers, based in Islington. A few weeks later, I was on court, training every Wednesday and playing in league matches every Thursday.
I loved it but there was one problem – I was terrible! The learning curve was steep, but I stuck with it. Over time, things began to click. We entered local tournaments, went on weekend tours, and even brought home the odd trophy. I’d officially caught the netball bug.
I set up a team at work and we entered the Corporate Games in Newcastle. We played every week in the City Lunch Time League at St Botolph’s, and in the Evening League at Old Street. I wanted to get more involved, so I decided to qualify as an umpire. I earned my C Award in 2006, met some incredible friends, new clients – and even discovered a love for running.
In 2007, I joined Cumberland Netball Club and started playing in the North London and Middlesex Leagues. I also became the regular umpire for the club’s Premier Team, gaining my B Award in 2010 and then my A Award in 2014.
Off the court, I joined the club committee – first as Social Secretary, then Umpire Secretary, and later as Club Chair from 2014 to 2017. Those years taught me so much about teamwork, leadership and community.
Even after moving to South London in 2012, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. So instead, I proposed setting up a new squad and that’s how Cumberland South began, playing in the Kingston District and Surrey Netball Leagues. We’re still going strong.
In 2024, something new took shape. A few of us from Cumberland, now living in Haslemere, came together to launch Cumberland South Juniors. With the backing of the club committee and support from Project Recruit and Project Global, we launched a 10-week pilot in the summer term. The response was incredible.
We now have 40 regular junior players from Year 2 to Year 7. As they grow, we’ll grow with them continuing the club through to Year 11. This April, we’ll celebrate our first anniversary.
From a few games at school to running junior teams, umpiring nationally, and building something lasting, it’s been an amazing journey. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Netball didn’t just shape my life – it helped me shape others’. And the journey’s far from over!
