NEW NETBALL UNIVERSE

Lynne Turner, Alys's Mum, Treorchy Netball Club:
Alys LOVES Rhondda Netball. She loves the Treorchy
club, the girls and her coaches! There is little or
no activities in Rhondda for our girls, so Rhondda
Netball has been great for Alys!
Janine Bevan, Elys-Brie's Mum, YG Cymer NC:
Rhondda Netball is like one big family!
Rhian Morris, Mali's Mum, Tonypandy NC: Mali talks,
eats, sleeps and breathes Rhondda Netball!
Leanne Ray, Ashleigh’s Mum, Treorchy NC: I can’t
thank Rhondda Netball enough for all the hard work
they have put in with our girls. There’s plenty of football
and rugby clubs for the boys and now, I am so
proud that my daughter is a part of Rhondda Netball!
Stacey Evans, Emmie’s Mum, Treorchy Netball Club:
Thank you for everything you do with the girls. You're
all fantastic with them and are great role models. It's
nice to see that the young girls in the Rhondda have
someone and something to aspire too.
Gerwyn Davies, Nia’s Dad, Tonypandy NC: Nia tends
to be left out of a lot of things, but taking part in
Rhondda Netball has really boosted her confidence!
Beth Berry, Alyssa's Mum, Treorchy NC: Alyssa
speaks non-stop about netball and all her coaches.
You inspire her, and it's wonderful to see!!
Laura Morgans, Amelia’s Mum, Treorchy NC: Amelia
has never played netball until she started playing for
Treorchy Under 11s! Her skills have improved massively,
not only physically but also, socially. She is
a quiet girl and it has been lovely seeing her confiwomen
taking part in our weekly out-of-school provision. It's incredible
really, because 12 months earlier, Rhondda Netball was
just an idea... a vision in the hearts of a few!
When I asked Jody about how she felt about all the progress she
was as understandably emotional when reflecting on what she
and our amazing Head Coaches had achieved in such a short
space of time. “It’s hard to sum up how I feel,” she said through
glazed eyes. “A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you
can’t do, not to prove them wrong, but to prove that if you put
your heart and soul into something, that something will become
your passion and then it’ll eventually become your reality. I’m
grateful for all the support I and we have had, because to a certain
extent I’m now living the reality of my passion. And I can’t wait to
see what the future has in store!”
As we look out on the remainder of 2017/18 we can’t help turn
our attention to bigger things. There’s no time to waste standing
still and while we’ve seen plenty of success, there are still so many
developments we have to make and plenty of components in the
Rhondda Netball operation that need significant improvements.
Attention is turning to our performance pathway and we’re already
hard at work shifting position in readiness for a better day
where Rhondda catches up with the rest of Wales. At present
there is not one single girl from Rhondda involved in any of the
Welsh international age group squads – something that’s going
to change over the next few years as we inspire our younger generation
of girls to start dreaming big! There are currently no avenues
where genuine financial sustainability is available for a sports
initiative revolutionising female participation in sport on a huge
scale – another thing that will change as we continue to break
down the barriers of inequality!
Without going into specifics, I can confidently say that as good
as our beginning has been, it will pale in comparison to the future.
But if Rhondda & RCT wants to shine as a beacon for female
equality in sport and lead the way, they will need to be equally as
hungry for change as all of us at Rhondda Netball are. The UK has
spoken, the media has spoken, and now Rhondda & RCT’s girls,
women and parents (see feedback, right) have spoken too. It’s time
to join the cause!
Parental
Kayleigh Carey, Mia’s Mum, Tonypandy NC: Mia
absolutely lives and breathes Rhondda Netball!!
She's shown so much commitment and has definitely
learnt how to be part of a team. Her confidence
has grown so much and she shows great
sportsmanship. It’s been great to see her meeting
many new friends from all over the Rhondda.
Gemma Wilson, Tia’s Mum, Tonypandy NC: Tia
loves Rhondda Netball... it is like one huge family
and she (me too!) love being a part of it!
Pippa Baker, Hannah's Mum, YG Cymer NC: Hannah
has gained so much confidence throughout
her first year in Rhondda Netball, and her attitude
is much more positive all round!"
Ceri Davies, Mollie's Mum, Ferndale NC: "Me
and my husband love taking Mollie to her
games and it has definitely drawn us all
closer together. As a family we are all so
proud!"
Julie Snooks, Lowri's Mum, YG
Cymer NC: "Rhondda Netball keeps
Lowri and her friends off the streets
and doing something they love instead!"