ANNUAL REPORT
PRESENTED AT
AGM
12 June 2010
DUNBLANE HYDRO
CONTENTS
Chairperson’s ReportPage 3
Chief Executive’s Report Page5
Membership Report Page 8
Youth and Schools ReportPage 10
Education and Training Report Page 14
Umpiring Page 16
Performance ReportPage 18
International Events Report Page 22
International ReportPage 23
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
(Patricia Osborne)
The last 12 months have been challenging for Netball Scotlandand my thanks go to a very hard working united Board which operated in exceptionally difficult circumstances during 2009/10. Our key activitiesfocused on the following:-
CONSULTATION
The year began with the previous CEO, Anne Ward, preparing and implementing the consultation process for the establishment of our new Strategic Plan 2010/15 entitled ‘Building the Legacy for Netball in Scotland’. Three national consultation days were held in South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and the feedback collated from these events has informed the vision, direction and content of our work for the next five years.
Consultation with members is of critical importance and the lessons learned from this process will underpin our intention to regularly consult with our member Districts, clubs and individuals throughout the life of our new plan.
STAFFING
Anne Ward tendered her resignation in August 2009 and from December 2009 to April 2010 we had an interim CEO (Celia Godsall) appointed in conjunction with sportscotland. Celia’s specific role was to complete our national consultation process, prepare and coordinate the production of our new Strategic Plan entitled ‘Building the Legacy for Netball in Scotland’ and progress our Investment Agreement with sportscotland. We have successfully secured in-principal funding for the term of our new strategic plan 2010-2015.
Part of this agreement was the confirmation of additional funding to appoint a full-time CEO, a full-time administrator to support Education & Development and Youth & Schools, and, a part-time Pathways Development Officer to accelerate embedding the ‘Pathway’ for athletes within our new plan.
My thanks also go to our new Partnership Manager from sportscotland, Gemma Fay who has worked tirelessly to ensure we remain functional and on task through the process of change.
NETBALL SCOTLAND REPRESENTATIVE/AMBASSADOR
My key role as Chair of Netball Scotland is to represent the sport and the organisation with pride and commitment. I strive to engage with as many members, districts, partners and stakeholders as my voluntary time allows and I am proud of our continuing strong partnerships with Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland. Our work on fostering good relationships extends to all our current affiliated districts and has increased to engage a wider geographical spread in 2009/10.
I had the honour of attending the World Youth Netball Championships in the Cook Islands and although we did not achieve our target of 8th, we achieved valuable experience for many of our young 2wards 2014 athletes.
Scotland elevated itself to the world stage by hosting both Singapore and Australia in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire and the lessons learned in many areas were extremely valuable. It was one of my proudest moments of 2009/10 to welcome the World Champions, Australia, to our country. My special thanks to Culture & Sport Glasgow and South Lanarkshire Leisure for making this all possible.
I also attended the Scottish Cup in Aberdeen Sport Village and this was also a highlight of my year – ADNA pulled off a magnificent event and it was refreshing to observe the improving standard of play from our U13’s right up to senior clubs.
I still work hard to make an impact on Local Sports Councils and we were successful in gaining a grant for local coach education and development in the Cambuslang area.
Our continued support for the Glasgow Wildcats is crucial as an elite training ground for our top athletes. Netball Scotland is in close partnership with Culture & Sport Glasgow to ensure we get the best for the players and the sport of netball in Scotland.
A ‘GOLDEN AGE’ FOR NETBALL IN SCOTLAND
Ahead of us lies an opportunity that we cannot miss.
In conjunction with Culture & Sport Glasgow we have bid to host the World Youth Championships in 2013. Netball is part of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and England Netball has bid for the World Netball Championships in 2015.
What a platform for the sport of Netball in Scotland! Three years in a row where Netball will be on prime-time television and ‘in the faces’ of all who watch sport in Scotland.
If we work together as one big team from this point forward our opportunities are immense – this ‘golden age’ is unlikely to present itself to our sport in our life-time therefore,it is a one-off opportunity to strengthen the profile, standard and reputation of our sport and our organisation for the foreseeable future. Lets work together to make it happen for all our players and coaches who deliver netball to athletes ranging from the cradle to the podium.
My thanks to all our staff and volunteers for their enduring support and hard work throughout 2009/10.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
(Maggie Murray)
GOVERNANCE ADMINISTRATION
An on-going key target for the organisation is to remain ‘fit for purpose’ with sound financial planning and management, competent strategic planning processes, improved communication and services to members, discharging our legal responsibility as employers and ensuring duty of care to staff and volunteers.
Our current status as ‘fit for purpose’ is a testament to the leadership of Anne Ward (P/T CEOAugust 2008 – December 2009) andCelia Godsall who was interimCEO from January – April 2010. During Celia’s time, she worked tirelessly to coordinate the writing of the new plan and subsequently, was successful in gaining additional investment from our key sponsor, sportscotland.
This additional investment has been allocated against increasing the staffing structure within Netball Scotland, the National Performance Programme, Performance Coach Development, the UKCC Coaching Awards, Membership Servicesand supporting our Pathway Development Programme.
In order to further strengthen the governance of our sport a review of our Board and committee structure is also underway.
To comply with our legal requirements as a Limited Company, Netball Scotland has continued to operate with a surplus which is immediately re-invested in capital expenditure, IT infrastructure, Membership Services and increased overheads for additional staff. Equally, in compliance with our partnership agreement with sportscotland, we are building, year on year, a reserve which will fulfil our organisations legal and financial liability in the unlikely event of insolvency. Our reserve currently stands at £10,000.
STAFFING STRUCTURES
Following the Board’s successful completion of the Investment Agreement with sportscotland,the following on-going and new posts have been agreed:-
F/T Chief Executive – formerly P/T, Maggie Murrayappointed 10th May 2010
F/T Operations Manager – Karen Dunn
F/T National Coach – Denise Holland
F/T Performance Coordinator – Geraldine Moore, upgraded fromP/T Performance Administrator
P/T Pathway Development Officer– currently recruiting.
F/T Youth Development Officer – Gregor Kyle
F/T Membership Administrator – Jennifer Kerr
F/T Administrator supporting EDM & YDO – currently recruiting
F/T Education and Development Manager – currently recruiting (P/T Temp Administrator, Arlene Leary, currently in place).
PARTNERS
The following partnerships must be acknowledged for their support of Netball development during 2009/10:-
Districts, Clubs, Individual Members are the life blood of our sport and without them netball does not happen! Over the last year, the sustained contribution of all our member clubs and individuals has increased the number of young people playing, the number of parents/teachers/volunteers leading and coaching netball sessions, and significantly, the popularity of netball in local areas throughout Scotland. The financial contribution from members is allocated against our business overheads, website construction and development, newsletters, Youth and Schools resources development and production, office administration, strategic planning and on-going consultation and engagement with members, local authorities and commercial sponsors. Without this investment Netball Scotland could not function or deliver a service in any of our technical, operational or membership-services work areas.
sportscotland are our predominant partner, sponsor and provider of on-going expert advice in all areas of our governance, administration and technical delivery. Due to the efforts and influence of the previous two CEO’s, and our Board, our relationship could not be stronger. This is manifested in yet another 20% increase in our core sportscotland investment. The key outcomes from this investment over the period of the new Strategic Plan requires Netball Scotland to achieve a 20% growth in player and coach participation, a successful and distinguished performance in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, an embedded ‘Pathway’ for all players, coaches and officials and, to accumulate £50,000 in reserve.
Culture and Sport Glasgow continue with their £200k investment in Glasgow Wildcats participation in the UK Netball Superleague. The Glasgow Wildcats are effectively our national team who benefit hugely from the opportunity to perform in a highly competitive elite environment on a weekly basis. This partnership is critical to our target of competing with distinction at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and provides the penultimate pinnacle to our player pathway programme.The investment is entering its third year and it will be a priority for Netball Scotlandto retain and support this partnership throughout the life of the new plan. Culture and Sport Glasgow also hosted a test match versus Australia in February 2010. Their local netball development officer, in conjunction with the Glasgow Netball Association, continues to develop solid primary, junior and senior development programmes through their extensive coach and player development opportunities.
South Lanarkshire Leisurehosted the second of our test matches against Australia and in conjunction with Lanarkshire Netball Association and the local netball development officer, South Lanarkshire Council has become a driving force in the development and resulting expansion of netball in Lanarkshire. This has been a new, exciting and extremely beneficial partnership for Netball Scotland and one which we hope will be sustained going forward.
Aberdeen City/Aberdeen District Netball Association excelled in their delivery of the Scottish Cup Final day in May 2010. The local ADNA volunteers pulled off one the most successful final days for some years and raised the bar in standards of organisation, administration and event delivery. Aberdeen Sports Village provided an outstanding venue and the service from the venue staff was exemplary. Although we have now lost our local netball development officers across the City & Shire, we look forward to further improving on our partnership with ADNA, AberdeenCity and Aberdeenshire in the new season.
Kukri, Gilbert & Lucozade are our three commercial sponsors and their contribution during 2009/10 has provided extensive kit, balls and nutritional advice and supplements to our national squads at U17, U19 and Open – members can continue to benefit from our commercial partnership through discount facilities.
MEDIA & MARKETING
Due to the work pressures on our Voluntary Board member with a media portfolio, Netball Scotland deliveredonly a small percentage of the Media Plan Objectives for season 2009/10.
Apart from the notable media coverage from the CGS/GWC’s TV coverage and local advertising, South Lanarkshire’s coverage of the Australian game and ADNA’s promotion of the Scottish Cup, there has been some sporadic local coverage of netball events.
To address this, Netball Scotland has engaged with the Scottish Sports Association ‘voluntary internship’ programme and advertised for student volunteers to take up a place as a Marketing and Communications Planner. There are four applicants at the time of writing this report and the post holder will attempt to deliver the media and marketing targets for 2010/11.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
(Jennifer Kerr)
Affiliation Figures
The total number of affiliated members for the year is 2,352 as at March 2010. As per the regional map below, this has been broken down into sportscotland regions. Of note is the increase in senior members which has seen a 12% increase in senior club members, with an additional 6 senior clubs affiliated, and secondary schools with a 4% increase.
REGIONAL MAP
The following key indicates all districts that are incorporated within each sportscotland district.
Grampian / Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, MorayTayside and Fife / Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth & Kinross
East / Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Borders, West Lothian
West / Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
Central / Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling
Highlands and Islands / Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles
Affiliations
The affiliation process will remain as per the 2009/10 season following feedback from our members. Primary and Secondary affiliations have been issued to schools in May with a view to these being completed before teachers depart for their summer break. Primary schools now have the additional benefit of a Nessie Netball Manual being sent out with the affiliation pack. Club affiliations will be sent out to all club secretaries with full instruction before the new season.
Newsletters
The newsletter will continue to be delivered bi-monthly via a PDF attachment to all email addresses that we have collated from the affiliation process. It is therefore vital that all clubs and members provide us with a valid email address and notify us of any changes. It is proposed that following the development of the new Netball Scotland website we will be moving to an integrated e-newsletter with click-through links to the new website.
Discounts Website
The discounts website will be launching at the AGM 2010. There will be a link to the discounts website via the Netball Scotland site. From the website there is a password entry to the site that will allow our members to browse a range of companies that offer discounts – from local gyms to restaurants and bars. To get the discount there is a printable discount card that should be handed over to the retailer. More companies will be added as the scheme grows throughout Scotland.
Netball Scotland Website
We are currently underway with the development of a new and improved Netball Scotland website. The site will be undergoing a graphical refresh and should be launched towards the end of July/beginning of August.
YOUTH & SCHOOLS
(Gregor Kyle)
Youth Development Report
The Youth & Schools commission had there usual 4 meetings throughout the year in Edinburgh and in Perth. The commission was well represented with representatives from, Aberdeen, Angus, Borders, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Highlands, North, Lanarkshire, Perth, South Lanarkshire.
Youth Competitions
A full list of the years Youth & Schools competitions are as follows:
Under 17 League Day 1 -4 October 2009
Under 17 League Day 2 -1 November 2009
Under 15 Academies Day 1-7 November 2009
Under 13 Tournament-22 November 2009
Under 13 Tournament-29 November 2009
Under 17 League Day 3 -6 December 2009
Under 15 Tournament-16 January 2010
(CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER)
Under 15 Academies Day 2 -23 January 2010
Under 15 Academies Day 3-6 February 2010
Under 17 League Day 3 -28 February 2010
Under 15 Academies Weekend-6 & 7th March 2010
U15/U17 Inter District-28 March 2010
Schools Cup Finals Day -22 April 2010
Scottish Cup Finals Day -22 May 2010
Under 15 DistrictAcademy Programme
The District programme saw an increase of players participating in the programme. In 2008/2009 the U15 section had 231 registered. In 2009/201 The U15 Section had 236 registered resulting in an increase of 5 players.
The following Districts took part in the programme:
Aberdeen (24) Angus (20) Ayrshire (16) East Renfrewshire (8) Edinburgh (12) Fife (28) Glasgow (33) Inverclyde (10) North Lanarkshire (10) Renfrew (29) Perth (22)South Lanarkshire (24)
(number of players registered)
Academies Weekend Winners B Section South Lanarkshire
A Section South Lanarkshire
Academies Weekend Runner UpsB Section Perth
B Section Perth
Inter District WinnersAngus
Inter District Runner UpsFife
Under 17 District Programme
The Under 17 District programme saw an increase of players participating in the programme. In 2008/2009 the U17 section had 174 players registered. In 2009/201 the U17 Section had 196 resulting in an increase 22 players.
The following Districts took part in the programme:
Aberdeen (27) Angus (9) Ayrshire (10) Borders (15) East Renfrewshire (9) Edinburgh (17)Glasgow (31) North Lanarkshire (9) Renfrewshire (20) Perth (25) South Lanarkshire (24)
(number of players registered)
This year saw a change to the Under 17 District League. On the first League day teams competed for entry into Division 1 and Division 2, with teams competing to win their perspective league on days 2 and 3.
Challenge Cup WinnersSouth Lanarkshire
Challenge Cup Runner UpAberdeen
Inter DistrictSouth Lanarkshire
Inter DistrictPerth
League A WinnerSouth Lanarkshire
League A Runner UpPerth
League B WinnerBorders
League B Runner UpNorth Lanarkshire
Under 17 A League
P / W / L / D / F / A / GD / Pts1 / South Lanarkshire / 8 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 149 / 77 / 72 / 35
2 / Perth A / 8 / 7 / 1 / 0 / 159 / 98 / 60 / 32
3 / Aberdeen A / 8 / 5 / 2 / 0 / 124 / 106 / 18 / 27
4 / Glasgow A / 8 / 4 / 2 / 0 / 141 / 100 / 41 / 24
5 / Edinburgh / 8 / 3 / 4 / 0 / 141 / 142 / -1 / 20
6 / Perth B / 8 / 2 / 5 / 0 / 87 / 143 / -56 / 13
7 / South Lanarkshire B / 8 / 2 / 6 / 0 / 76 / 122 / -46 / 11
8 / Angus / 8 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 81 / 157 / -76 / 3
Under 17 B League
P / W / L / D / F / A / GD / Pts1 / Borders / 5 / 5 / 0 / 0 / 137 / 71 / 66 / 25
2 / North Lanarkshire / 5 / 3 / 2 / 0 / 104 / 95 / 9 / 17
3 / Ayrshire / 5 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 88 / 99 / -11 / 15
4 / Aberdeen B / 5 / 1 / 3 / 1 / 96 / 96 / 0 / 12
5 / Edinburgh B / 5 / 2 / 3 / 0 / 98 / 109 / -11 / 12
6 / Glasgow B / 5 / 1 / 4 / 0 / 65 / 131 / -66 / 7
Scottish Schools Cup