ANNUAL REPORT 2020 / 21 01 CONTENTS CHAIR FOREWORD

Chair Foreword 01 The global COVID-19 pandemic has continued to darken the door of the wonderful sport of for a second season. We collectively send our Welsh Netball Board 02 deepest condolences to all that have suffered loss in our netball family Annual Report 2020 / 21 COVID-19 Impact 03 during this truly awful time.

CEO Summary 04 Welsh Netball has battled with reduced funding caused by the impact of the pandemic which led to the reduction of our staffing levels and it was with a Community 08 very heavy heart that we had to lose colleagues from the National Governing Body at this incredibly difficult time. Elsewhere, our international squads Workforce Development 10 have been starved of competition. Our athletes and management teams Performance Summary 12 are working hard to ensure that we maintain our World Ranking position for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games qualification deadline, and are Seniors 14 ready for the World Netball Cup qualifiers thereafter. The Superleague has 16 been a challenging time for the Celtic Dragons who have fought hard this season and left everything out there on the court. I would like to say a big Communications 18 thank you to Tania Hoffman who returns home to New Zealand at the end Acknowledgements & Partners 20 of the season. Wales’ elite umpires have also done a fantastic job on the Superleague court, showing what they can offer, with great strength and depth now coming through in their ranks.

We are slowly emerging out of the darkness of COVID-19 and the community game is ready to bounce back. We must continue to support netball in all our regions to ensure that the facilities that we fought so hard to retain are kept and developed further. COVID-19 is a huge threat to netball in Wales as participation in sport is impacted by this global health crisis and women have felt the impact significantly. It will be for Welsh Netball, led by our CEO Sarah Jones, to work together to survive this crisis and help the game emerge into a prosperous future.

Finally, I would like to wish a heartfelt thank you to everyone in the netball family in Wales from our Board of Directors through to the grassroots volunteers keeping our wonderful game going in such difficult times.

Catherine Lewis, Chair Welsh Netball www.welshnetball.com 02 COVID-19 IMPACT 03 WELSH NETBALL BOARD 2020/21 45.7 65 DECREASE IN DECREASE IN MEMBERS MEMBERSHIP INCOME

President Merle Hamilton

Vice-President Sheila Cooksley

3 Annual Report 2020 / 21 Vice-President Wendy Pressdee BEM COVID-19 Chair Catherine Lewis LOCKDOWNS

Vice-Chair Cath Hares STAFF TEAM DECREASE Elected Director (Performance) Julia Longville WELSH Elected Director (Development) Melanie Hellerman GOVERNMENT COVID-19 Elected Director (Compliance and Engagement) Carol Anthony 22 REVIEW 1,400 PERIODS Appointed Director (Finance and Risk) Mike Bobbett Appointed Director (Commercial) Kerry McDonald 14 Appointed Director (Policy & Governance) Rhian Edwards INTRODUCTION OF REGULAR ATTENDEES 6 Appointed Director (HR) Zoe Grainger LEAGUE IN ONLINE MEETINGS AND ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS Appointed Director (Legal) Vacant CLUB FORUMS Appointed Director (IT & Digital) Vacant

Appointed Director (Communications & Marketing) Lowri Williams CANCELLATION OF 2021 NETBALL 14 WORLD YOUTH CUP MONTHS

TELEVISED/ WITHOUT STREAMED CELTIC COMPETITIVE DRAGONS GRASSROOTS GAMES NETBALL

www.welshnetball.com 04 05 CEO SUMMARY CEO SUMMARY

Welsh Netball has seen its share of highs and over the last year. Despite not always having has had to absorb a significant financial cost We have had to review and consider changing lows in its 76-year history, but this year has access to their elite training environments, over the last year. Being unable to play the sport government guidelines, analyse medical data, been one like no other. What began as a news they have nevertheless maintained the highest we love has been a challenge for us all, and so engage with the wider sport sector and ensure Annual Report 2020 / 21 story about a new virus confined to one corner standards and remained dedicated to the pursuit the focus of our year centred around ‘protect, robust and transparent practices and risk of China quickly developed into one of this of netball excellence. Finally, I would like to prepare and prevail’, ensuring that we stay mitigations over the last year. We have also century’s most significant and impactful events. thank the Welsh Netball staff and Board team. safe, follow the guidelines and come out of the undertaken extensive training with our members The global Coronavirus pandemic has touched The work of our people has placed netball in pandemic in a strong place, ready to take the to ensure knowledge and support was provided all of our lives and had an impact on every facet an excellent position to emerge all the stronger sport forward as restrictions are lifted. to all that needed it. The challenge of doing of our society. Netball has been no exception from the pandemic. Our small team has adapted this in a very uncertain environment was real, The restrictions in our sport resulted in and the economic, social and technological well to changing circumstances and has used the but every decision we made was with the significant losses in revenue with income from consequences of the pandemic will continue to pandemic to innovate and develop opportunities best interests of our participants at heart. membership alone reducing by 65%. Commercial be felt by our sport in years to come. For now, for growth. As an organisation, we will be in a This has remained at the core thread of our revenue streams were ceased and commercial it is time to reflect on the year past and celebrate better place to serve our members and grow decision-making as we navigated our way contracts have been renegotiated significantly our sport’s resilience in the face of a true our sport than ever before as we look to live by through the pandemic. impacting our self-generated income streams. existential threat. The story of the pandemic’s our new values of ‘inspire, aspire, respect and As an organisation we took bold steps to try to Understandably, our number of affiliated effect on netball has not yet been fully told, but connect.’ These values will underpin our new absorb as much as we could and to mitigate members has been reduced this year, but we we can certainly reflect on its opening chapters. strategic direction when it is launched. risk and reduce our operating costs, and we are extremely grateful to those who have I would like to begin by paying tribute to those Before providing an overview of our activity achieved this by reducing these costs to the bare continued with their membership of Welsh who have helped our sport survive this testing over the last year, it is important that I detail the minimum and through utilising the government’s Netball during the pandemic. Our ‘Membership year. First of all, I would like to extend my thanks impact that COVID-19 has had on our sport. Our Job Retention Scheme. We wanted to ensure Matters’ and UK-wide #TogetherWeAreNetball to the netball community. The last year has seen community game has been severely affected and when we asked for additional support, we were campaigns were integral to this as we sought us miss out on opportunities to be with our loved with the exception of some limited netball last only asking for what was absolutely necessary. to showcase how our members help netball to ones and to enjoy our team sport, which thrives summer, it has only been the last few months Through the help of and Welsh grow, thrive and touch the lives of women and on us being together. The netball community has that have seen netball clubs return to court Government, additional funding was received girls across the country. I also am proud to say made great use of technology to keep connected once again. The same goes for our international via the Sport Resilience Fund, Sport and Leisure that Welsh Netball has used the profile and and has been hugely patient as we have adapted teams who have missed out on opportunities for Recovery Fund and the Winter Spectator power of our sport to support important to ever-changing rules to get back on court. We elite competition. As a result, our membership Sports Fund which in conjunction with our own social campaigns over the last year, including are also grateful for club engagement with our numbers for the last twelve months have seen mitigations, covered our financial losses and Black History Month. It is important we Return to Play processes and the mass adoption a substantial decrease, with 5,117 members protected our reserves as much as possible. play a prominent role in social campaigns of our #NetsGetReady accreditation. This has being affiliated to Welsh Netball this year. This We have also been able to carry forward the as we look to represent the entirety allowed our sport to return in as safe a way as marks a 45.7% decrease on our numbers from funding of our performance programme so that of our netball community. possible. Secondly, I would like to pay tribute to 2019/20. This, along with reduced commercial we can immediately resume our programmes as the work of our dedicated athletes and coaches opportunities has meant that our organisation soon as we are able.

www.welshnetball.com 06 07 CEO SUMMARY CEO SUMMARY

We have worked hard to serve the netball association and league meetings, which have disappointed upon learning it will not be taking go on to flourish. In closing, our particular thanks community through the pandemic. Much of evolved into our regular Club Forums. In addition place. However, with a fantastic group of go to, Sport Wales, the , this work has been keeping the community to these structural changes, we have also moved voluntary coaches behind them, we are confident and all of our commercial Annual Report 2020 / 21 informed about frequent changes to government a more agile mode of operating, with staff able that our youth team will bounce back and along partners who have been by our side throughout regulations and developing our Return to Play to work remotely wherever they are in Wales. with our Under 17s cohort be keen to return to this eventful year. infographics. However, we have also been busy international competition as soon as we are able. Although most of our high-performance activity Best wishes, hosting a number of digital engagement sessions has been suspended over the last year, it has Elsewhere, the pandemic has given us for members of all ages. We have also adapted been fantastic to see Celtic Dragons back on the opportunity to reflect on our existing our workforce opportunities to offer online and court in the Vitality . Thirteen programmes and methods of delivery for high blended courses. Additionally, we have started Welsh international squad members have been performance netball. The backbone of elite to introduce a number of digital transformations involved with Dragons and other Superleague Welsh netball is our performance pathway and Sarah Jones to our organisation, including the launch of a franchises in the behind-closed-doors league we have taken a close look at the different stages CEO Welsh Netball new digital safeguarding system, MyConcern. in the 2021 season, with all games broadcast/ of the pathway and will be sharing some exciting We look forward to delivering several further streamed via Sky Sports. We have continued to updates regarding this in coming months. digital growth projects and innovations as receive strong support from our Celtic Dragons As tough as the last year has been, I remain we progress through 2021. sponsors and we formally welcomed the Prince’s optimistic about the future of our sport. We have We have seen a number of changes to the Trust Cymru as official charity partners this year, used the pandemic to embrace change and to staffing team at Welsh Netball over the last which is a huge honour and provides a powerful evaluate how we work to grow the game and year. The Job Retention Scheme allowed us to platform for our netball franchise. inspire success. International collaboration has secure some roles, but unfortunately some Our senior and age group international teams been taken to the next level over the last year, redundancies were unavoidable. Subsequently, will be coming together as the year progresses and I wish to thank colleagues from England the organisation has had to evolve to deliver and restrictions continue to be eased and it will Netball, Netball Scotland and Netball Northern on the ‘new normal’ of post-pandemic netball. be great to see them return to court. We are now Ireland for coming together under the united A significant number of structural changes just one year away from the prospective 2022 banner of #TogetherWeAreNetball. Without the have been put in place this year which are set Commonwealth Games right on our doorstep Home Nations working together and supporting to commence early in our 2021/22 reporting in Birmingham and our full attention will be each other, the netball landscape would have year. These will allow us to serve our members on securing qualification for that prestigious looked a little different. better than ever before. Already we have had a tournament next year. This is all the more There are still significant challenges ahead as we fantastic response from the community so far as important after the recent disappointment of the move into 2021/22. However, I am confident that we look to work in close partnership with those cancellation of the 2021 Netball World Youth Cup with the strong networks of people and partners who deliver netball on the ground in Wales. This in Fiji. Wales U21 had worked very hard towards we have, we will come through these, and we will has included strong attendances at our area that tournament and were understandably

www.welshnetball.com 08 COMMUNITY The timeoffcourt,whilstincrediblydifficult, continue tobeeased. of affiliationsinrecentmonthsasrestrictions to changingregulations.Thishasseenaninflow providing netballsessionsoutdoorsandadapting examples ofclubsembracingthechallenge been inlockdown,wehaveseensomefantastic checklist. Overthelastyear,whenwehavenot the seasonandcompleted#NetsGetReady encouraged theirmemberstoaffiliateearlyin We areincrediblygratefultothe74clubswho closely toourmembersthaneverbefore. queries aboveallelseaswelooktoworkmore during theentirepandemic,prioritisingmember stopped workingonbehalfofthenetballfamily affected oursport.Nevertheless,wehavenot considering howgovernmentrestrictionshave has fallenthisseason.Thisisnotsurprising March 2020)ournumberofaffiliatedmembers impacted bytheCoronaviruspandemicfrom season andreaching9,417in2019/20(partially affiliated membersinthe2018/19membership hoped for.Aftersurpassingthe10,000figureof Wales growinadifferentwaytowhatwehad The pasttwelvemonthshaveseennetballin event when restrictions areeased. forward tobuilding onthesuccessof the2019 together netballersfrom allwalksoflife.Welook recognition awardforits impactinbringing Unity Shieldtournament pickedupaspecial with SouthWalesPolicewherelastyear’s Netball waspartofavirtualawardsceremony has alsobroughtwithitglimmersofjoy.Welsh

for participationandenjoyment. netballers witheverincreasing opportunities support thereturnofour sportandtoprovide to workhand-in-handwith ourmembersto restrictions areeasedfurther.Wewillcontinue the vaccinationprogrammecontinuesand renewed hopeforournetballcommunityas The nextyearpromisestobeatimeof netball community. income andreachouttonewpartsofthe membership, provideanadditionalsourceof clubs. Bothareawonderfulwaytogrowclub and WalkingNetballprogrammeswithinaffiliated to seeingthecontinuedgrowthofNetballTots Over thecomingmonthswearelookingforward developments thataffectthem. to aforum5timesyearandhearthelatest which meanthateveryclubinWalescancome have introducedregularonlineClubForums From thesuccessofthisvirtualcampaignwe yoga, bingo,‘Nettyflix,’andworkoutsessions. popular andover1,000ofyoucametoour ‘Netball NightsIn’programmeprovedextremely technology toreachmembersinnewways.The Lockdown alsoallowedustheopportunitytouse development exchangesverysoon. forward toprovidingmoretrainingcoursesand netball leadersviaouronlinecourse.Welook we trainedanumberoftheirmembersas with SwissNetballduringlockdownwhere We havealsoforgedawonderfulpartnership Total members Affiliated clubs 9,417 092 2020/21 2019/20 192 Total members Affiliated clubs 5,117 to 31May2021 09 96 www.welshnetball.com

Annual Report 2020 / 21

10 11 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Despite the impact of the pandemic, we have Welsh Netball is currently reviewing how its Another development has been the introduction been able to use the opportunity provided by netball workforce operates, this includes of online delivery for both the Netball Leaders the ‘new normal’ to develop and innovate our our umpires. As a result, we have launched and Introduction to Umpiring courses. Online NETBALL Annual Report 2020 / 21 Workforce Development opportunities. our Umpire Steering Group. The group has delivery has given new coaches and umpires LEADERS representation from leagues across Wales to Our ‘Minimum Standards of Deployment for the opportunity to mixing with others from help shape our Umpire Pathway. Thus far, Coaches’ was reviewed and changed in order across Wales and to share ideas from their it has focused on: clubs and schools. Similarly, we will also be using 167 to support clubs with the deployment of their ATTENDEES workforce. Previously all coaches were required How we develop and deliver a clear virtual platforms to provide ‘blended learning’ to hold a UKCC Level 2 qualification in order umpire workforce pathway. opportunities for our UKCC Level 1 and 2 to lead sessions. The new minimum standards coaching courses. This will enable more learners Training and up-skilling opportunities enable experienced and knowledgeable to access the courses due to breaking down for our umpires to progress through UKCC Level 1 coaches and Netball Leaders to geographical and time barriers. June 2021 will qualifications. deliver a range of specified sessions. This will see the introduction of this new course format. Providing key support for all umpires INTRODUCTION help build capacity in clubs and help cater for Finally, we have been developing a new schools TO UMPIRE within clubs and leagues. the ever-increasing demand for our sport. resource pack. These will be designed to support We will be supporting these new coaches Providing advice and assistance to teachers with engaging and fun netball lessons. with accessible learning content on the umpires adapting to the new modified These packs will be made available to schools 72 eCoach online platform with two modules: rules and regulations. later in the year. ATTENDEES Essential Rules and Essential Skills. In addition to this, we have provided the opportunity for our representatives to attend a free mentoring workshop to assist them with the mentoring development of new umpires within their leagues. These pilot sessions were delivered with the view to more being available to all members across Wales in the future.

www.welshnetball.com 12 13 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Collaboration has been a key aspect of our Some highlights have included: work over the last year. While the pandemic has Q&A with coaches and players from th restricted our on-court activity, we have used the the ANZ Premiership season Annual Report 2020 / 21 opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with 9 Access to the UK Sport High Performance our partners, stakeholders and competitors – conference facing the challenges of the pandemic together, WALES RETAINS POSITION IN recognising our strength and power as a Welsh Sports Association Team Manager WORLD RANKINGS united force. training – the only recognised training course from sports Team Managers Our involvement in the sector-wide Elite and has been developed in Group helped us to shape our elite sport return partnership with the Commonwealth to play protocols. The Elite Sport Group gave us Games Federation. an opportunity to work alongside other National Governing Bodies, Welsh Sport Association, Team Manager training on the Sport Wales and Welsh Government where MyConcern safeguarding platform we shared best practice and for peer-review of Mental Health Awareness for Sport and protocols and procedures. Working with the Physical Activity eLearning courses Elite Sport Group and our Chief Medical Officer, ‘Non-Perfect Parent and ‘Coach’ we worked to secure elite status for our athletes online workshop series NOV and developed procedures that allowed our 2021 elite athletes to return to sport in a safe manner, We continue to refine and build on our good 30 13 mitigating as much risk as possible. governance. Our selection policy has been NEW QUALIFICATION SUPERLEAGUE / DATE FOR 2022 updated, we have reviewed our National NPL ATHLETES Using the pandemic as opportunity to reflect COMMONWEALTH GAMES Performance Pathway from top to bottom and and refocus, we looked to extend continual continue to ensure our pathway is built to prepare professional development (CPD) opportunities an oversupply of future international athletes. to our workforce. We have a large contingent of talented volunteers who lead, support and manage our performance squads. Being able to offer CPD opportunities to our dedicated and committed workforce is one way we can show our gratitude and appreciation for their efforts.

www.welshnetball.com 14 15 WALES SENIORS AGE GROUPS

Securing Commonwealth Games qualification We are developing some exciting future plans Our Wales age groups have shown extraordinary This year we also saw us collaborate with Cricket remains a short-term priority for us. Working to give our senior Wales squad an identity that resilience throughout 2020 and have continued Wales, , Welsh and with the International Netball Federation (ii) and they have directly helped shape and develop. to train and connect with one another through to deliver 6 parent and 3 coach Annual Report 2020 / 21 in particular our Home Nation counterparts was The athletes’ direct involvement from all ages has digital methods. Over the course of the last 12 virtual webinars to support parents and coaches a key strategy in trying to secure guidance on given our identity a personal and passionate feel months, our Under 21 squad stayed connected who are involved in our national pathway. These the World Rankings. This was because netball in and we look forward to being able to bring this and engaged through technical, strength and free webinars were led by Richard Shorter to some nations around the globe had resumed for to life. conditioning, and positional sessions. This was in provide support, advice, share best practice and some, barely interrupted. For others, like us, the INF Board decided to defer the World Rankings addition to team quizzes and tasks such as video guidance for parents with athletes in a national impact of the pandemic was felt from grassroots Annual Update from July 2021 until after analysis. As well as coach delivered content, the pathway. The ‘Non-Perfect Parent’ workshop through to our elite national senior squad. the qualification date for the Birmingham girls also got together independently for virtual series provided an opportunity for performance pathway parents to ask questions and be in a We remained engaged and proactive throughout 2022 Commonwealth Games. The INF and yoga, training and some fun quizzes at Christmas. like-minded forum, independent of the National the summer, adapting to online analysis, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) They also worked incredibly hard to raise funds Governing Body. These multi-sport sessions meetings and sessions. We took a natural break agreed to delay the qualification date from for the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) however allowed parents and coaches to gain insight and in our programme for early autumn before 30th November 2021 by two months to include sadly the tournament was cancelled. The INF understanding of other environments so that they some athletes returned to their Superleague all eligible fixtures until 31st January 2022. announced its decision to cancel the 2021 NWYC could contextualise their children’s experiences. franchise environments. We have 13 senior These decisions have been made to protect the which was scheduled to take place from 2 to 11 December in Suva, Fiji. This decision was made athletes playing at the highest level in the UK in integrity of the rankings for the benefit of all All athletes in our performance programme have by the INF Board at their meeting on 12 March either VNSL or NPL. This is fantastic for Wales netball nations and provide additional time for coped incredibly well and consistently impressed 2021 after taking into consideration all the risks and essential to underpin our success moving fixtures to be played before the 2022 domestic our management teams with their positive, related to hosting the event during the ongoing forwards. It is another improvement from netball season begins. focused and determined mindsets – as well as COVID-19 pandemic with the safety and wellbeing last season where we only had six athletes being supportive of each other. We would like of participants, and the Fijian population at the at this level. to take this opportunity to thank them for the heart of the decision. patience, dedication and commitment to their The U21 management team welcomed a new training during these difficult times. Like you, we recruit by the appointment of Jen Berry as U21 are excited to bring our age groups and senior Assistant Coach. Jen has a wealth of experience athletes back to court! Finally, we would also like from working in England, having coached for to thank our volunteer management teams the last ten years at a range of levels. Most for all their hard work over the last year, recently she was involved with as the supporting our athletes. Your effort and franchise’s Under 21’s assistant coach at their dedication makes high-performance Bristol Hub. netball in Wales possible.

www.welshnetball.com 16 17 CELTIC DRAGONS

ON COURT OFF COURT

With the postponement of the 2020 season after It has been a very challenging season with Celtic In 2021, it has been great to have every game Finally, during the initial period of lockdown, we Annual Report 2020 / 21 three games the 2020 Celtic Dragons squad Dragons currently bottom of the table. COVID-19 covered by Sky Sports via livestream and/or were able to utilise contacts at Netball New Zealand continued training and meeting online until the was disruptive to our ability to prepare for the linear broadcast. Not only has this allowed fans and arrange access to ANZ franchise coaches and eventual cancellation. league and there has been turnover in the squad to follow us more closely, but it has also added players for coach development for Celtic Dragons, from 2020. a huge level of value for our partners. Our Wales and Talent Centre coaches. This was a The ensuing months were dedicated to preparing sponsors now have increased visibility through fantastic experience and valuable CPD for our documentation for the return to elite training Despite a very steep learning curve, it has been LED ad presentation, interview backdrops and people. Thank you to the coaches and players from during the pandemic with a proposed start date pleasing to see the improvement and gains we our match day dresses. We were also very proud New Zealand who supported this initiative. in October. There were numerous meetings with have made in the second round, especially our to welcome the Prince’s Trust Cymru as official the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) to ensure first win against Storm. We hope to finish charity partners holding pride of place in the that our athletes and management would be the season strongly and are thrilled to see the centre of our dresses. safe once the 2021 competition was announced. return of fans for the latter stages of the season. Risk mitigation procedures were also required Community delivery from the franchise has been We would like to pay tribute to our voluntary by our training providers, Metropolitan challenging due to the pandemic. However, we coaches and team management, as well as the University and Sport Wales. Prior to the season were able to resume camps from Easer 2021 fantastic high-performance support we receive commencing all players and management had to and have further camps on offer for summer , from Cardiff Metropolitan University. 16000 undergo medical assessments and attend several half-term and the long simmer break. We also Average streaming audience medical briefings. delivered a first community meet and greet day for Celtic Dragons in 2021 for some time in May. The free-of-charge event This meant that we were unable to meet as was well-attended and received by Dragons fans. a team until November with the delay due to differing England/Wales COVID-19 regulations. The Celtic Dragons age group squads were kept Our first import player to arrive was Rebekah busy during the lockdown period with their Robinson of Jamaica, who had to quarantine for coaches running online sessions and setting 2 weeks before training with the team. She was challenges. As of April 2021, the squads are back Prince’s later joined by Annika Lee-Jones of Australia. training together as per Welsh Netball guidelines. As the team had limited training opportunities, We would like to thank all of our voluntary Trust it was important to source pre-season games. coaches and team managers for their continued Biggest charity partner in the Superleague Prior to the Christmas break the team played hard work and support. preseason fixtures against Wasps, and .

www.welshnetball.com 18 19 COMMUNICATIONS

It has been a busy and challenging year in our sport has never been better and we hope PLATFORM MAY 2020 MAY 2021 % GROWTH managing Welsh Netball’s communications. that this will continue as we move out of the Welsh Netball Twitter 11,254 11,293 0.3 The pandemic has highlighted the need for clear pandemic. Another effect of the pandemic has Welsh Netball Facebook 4,858 5,137 5.7 Annual Report 2020 / 21 and consistent communications, particularly with been the continued growth of social media and ever-changing rules and regulations to keep the this is evidenced by the continual growth in our Welsh Netball Instagram 3,972 4,381 10.3 community aware of. numbers of followers. Celtic Dragons Twitter 9,261 9,584 3.4 Communicating Welsh Netball’s Return to Play Another recent development has been the Celtic Dragons Facebook 1,255 1,664 32.5 information has been a high priority over the last growth of campaigns within sport relating to Celtic Dragons Instagram 3,602 4,139 14.9 twelve months. Working with Treganna Design, wider societal issues. One such highlight was we have had to issue numerous updates and the ‘social media blackout’ of May 2021 whereby condense detailed information for our members sporting organisations held a 72-hour boycott using informative and concise infographics. of social media to protest the inaction of large We have also sought to support the community media/technology corporations against online throughout the pandemic and this has meant abuse, hatred, harassment and racism. We were WELSH NETBALL KEY DATES RETURN TO PLAY MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER WELSH TUESDAY 1 JUNE publicising and marketing our ‘netball from proud to play a role in making this important MONDAY 17 JUNE Anticipated resumption MONDAY 3 UNDER 18s of Indoor netball winterall MAY leagues and fixtures for NETBALL MONDAY 26 MAY ADULTS Can start playing Modified APRIL INDOOR Can start playing Modified Netball fixtures Indoors INDOOR Modified Netball for Adults in Netball fixtures Outdoors (Only one fixture against one 30 per court other team in a 24 hour period – MEMBERSHIP home’ initiatives as well as our latest workforce statement, for all that we do rely on the use of groups of up to (Only one fixture against one OUTDOOR Modified Netball for Adults in 15 per court (including workforce) other team in a 24 hour period – see FAQs for more information) Modified Netball Training groups of up to (including workforce) Modified Netball for Under 18s see FAQs for more information) ADULTS for Adults in groups of 30 per court up to 30 per court Modified Netball for Under 18s in groups of up to 30 per court (excluding workforce) Can start playing Modified 2020/21 (including workforce) in groups of up to Netball fixtures Indoors development opportunities. our social media platforms to grow the game and (excluding workforce) OUTDOORS (Only one fixture against one UNDER 18s Modified Netball for Adults in other team in a 24 hour period – 50 per court see FAQs for more information) Can start playing Modified groups of up to Netball fixtures Outdoors where space safely allows (including workforce) inspire success. The addition of a new Equality (Only one fixture against one other team in a 24 hour period – Modified Netball for50Under per court 18s CATEGORY see FAQs for more information) in groups of up to EARLY BIRD We were also proud to launch a ‘Membership where space safely allows (10% OFF) (including workforce) STANDARD 3 AUG-31 AUG MEMBERSHIP FEE Diversity and Inclusion board director will aid us Club Affiliation 1 SEPT-31 OCT Matters’ campaign last year in support £36 Full Adult Member £40 in harnessing the power of our sport in support £31.50 of encouraging affiliations to the National Adult Monthly Member £35 £5.40 Junior Member (12-18 Years Old) WELSH of future social campaigns. No Indoor Fixtures allowed £6 No Outdoor Fixtures allowed Governing Body. To be able to retain nearly £14.40 Junior Member (Under 11) NETBALL£16 All these activities are subject to NetsGetReadyongoing Welsh GovernmentChecklist in order Legislation to deliver and modifiedany further netball lockdowns training either and localfixtures. or national. Following WG announcement on 14/05/2021 Clubs must have completed the £5.40 half of our affiliated members despite Looking ahead to the coming year, there are Individuals classed as vulnerable should consult a doctor before rejoining group activity. www.welshnetball.com/c19 MEMBERSHIP£6 U18 is determined as any individual who was under the age of 18 on 31st August 2020. This document is to be read in tandem with the latest Frequently Asked Questions Document available at the below link. Visit: www.ourwelshnetball.co.uk restrictions is testament to the emotional several exciting communications projects that For all of the latest information, guidance and resources regarding Return to Play, please visit: 2020/21 impact of this campaign and of the UK-wide we will hope to unveil shortly. These have taken #TogetherWeAreNetball initiative. many hours of work and consultation and we new season are excited to go live with them in due course. Elsewhere, it has been PRICE Furthermore, the 2022 Commonwealth Games heartening to witness FREEZE are on the horizon and we will be looking to the return of the Vitality raise the profile of our national netball team Visit: www.ourwelshnetball.co.uk Netball Superleague. like never before as we countdown to this Moreover, having every VNSL match televised showpiece tournament! and/or streamed has been a huge boost to netball’s accessibility and profile. Coverage of

www.welshnetball.com 20 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Welsh Netball and Celtic Dragons would like to thank our partners for their support over the last year… Annual Report 2020 / 21

Ace Feet in Motion

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Centurion VAT

Gilbert Netball

Howden

Iolis

National Federation of Women’s Institutes Cymru

Neon Arena Services

Netball Europe

Netball Show

Newfields Law

NPTC Group

O’Neills

Orthotix

Physique Management

South Wales Police

Sport Wales

The Prince’s Trust Cymru

University of South Wales

Welsh Government

Welsh Sports Association

World Netball

www.welshnetball.com WELSH NETBALL Sport Wales National Centre Sophia Gardens CARDIFF CF11 9SW Tel: 02920 334950 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @WelshNetball Facebook: welshnetballassociation Instagram: @WelshNetball Web: welshnetball.co.uk