Netball NI Young Ambassadors Programme
What’s it all about?
Want to grow your skills, meet new people, and make a difference in sport? The Netball NI Young Ambassadors Programme is your chance!
Running from 1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026, this 6-month journey is designed for young people aged 13–18 from across Northern Ireland. Together we’ll build confidence, leadership, and friendships while exploring netball and other sports — all while learning more about issues that matter to young people today.
Thanks to support from the NI Executive under the T:BUC programme, it’s completely free to take part.
What you’ll get 🎉
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A coaching or umpiring award to kickstart your journey in sport
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Workshops on leadership, good relations, mental health & wellbeing
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Skills and fitness sessions with top coaches (netball + other sports)
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A real voice in the development of netball in NI
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Support to plan your own community event
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A network of friends and ambassadors just like you 🚀
We’ll split participants into two regional groups so travel is a bit easier, but everyone will come together across NI.
What we ask from you 🙌
Between October and March, you’ll:
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Join a monthly weekend development day (6 total)
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Take part in a monthly evening online session (1–2 hours)
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Help out as a coach or leader at an NNI event, camp, or fun day
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Be open to learning, sharing your voice, and representing your peers
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Have permission from a parent/guardian to get involved (and appear in photos/media)
How to Apply 📝🎥
You can apply in a way that suits you:
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Write it down – a short application answering the questions below, OR
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Record a video (1–2 minutes max) and send it in!
Tell us:
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Who you are, your age, and where you live
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Your netball/sport journey so far (when you started, who you play for, etc.)
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Why you love sport
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Why you’d like to join the Young Ambassadors Programme
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What skills and qualities you’ll bring
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If you were an animal, which one would you be — and why? 🐾
📩 Send written applications to: headofdevelopment@netballni.org (FAO: Lisa Rickett)
📱 Send video applications via WhatsApp to: 07850102761
Deadline to apply: Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 12 noon.
Don’t leave it to the last minute — spaces are limited!
💡 This programme isn’t just about netball. It’s about you — your voice, your growth, your chance to shine.
Netball Northern Ireland Awards Night 2024 Honours Individuals, League Winners, and Hall of Fame Inductee – Liz Rodgers!
The Netball NI Awards Night 2024 was a spectacular celebration, uniting netballers, sponsors, and the wider netball community of Northern Ireland to honour the extraordinary achievements of league champions, recognise another inductee into the prestigious Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame and applaud other exceptional award recipients. This glittering event showcased the dedication, skill, and passion that define netball in Northern Ireland all set in the stunning location of Galgorm Resort and Spa – Netball NI Partner.
The evening commenced with a grand ceremony as league winners from various divisions took the spotlight. It was a moment of pride for these teams and players who had exemplified remarkable teamwork, strategic prowess, and unwavering resilience throughout the season. We were privileged to have Debbie Hallas, Managing Director of our retail partner Netball UK, present the league trophies, adding a special touch to the celebrations.
Our Junior League winners this year are as follows:
Our Senior League winners this year are as follows:
In addition to honouring the league winners, the Netball NI Awards Night celebrated several individuals who had excelled in their respective fields. Awards were presented in various categories, including NI Pathway Coach of the Year, The Erin Thomson Award for the Most Promising Young Player, International Player of the Year and Official of the Year. These awardees were recognised for their outstanding contributions, unwavering commitment, and dedication to the sport, earning well-deserved applause from all in attendance.
Individual award winners were as follows:
A defining moment of the evening was the newest inductee into the Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame, named in honor of the beloved “mummy of netball,” Moya McVeigh.
This prestigious recognition celebrates extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark on the sport and significantly contributed to its growth in Northern Ireland. This year’s inductee was Liz Rodgers. Liz is one of only 5 athletes across world netball who have represented their country in 5 World Cup events, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987 & 1991, including 2 as Captain. Debuting at the World Cup in 1975, she had a distinguished netball playing career for NI as well as leading at club level, teaching and bringing up her family. She has coached hundreds of netballers in both a school and club setting, remaining a close friend and confidant for many. This inductee has held coaching roles for NI in the regional set up and also as a selector. Her achievements go above and beyond those listed above. Congratulations Liz, we are delighted to welcome you to the Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame!
Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame Athlete Inductee 2024 – Liz Rodgers pictured with Netball NI Executive Manager Karen Rollo-Stewart
In March this year, our U17’s attended the European Championships in Gibraltar, with an outstanding performance, winning all their matches. The team won Gold in the Challenge section. We were delighted to have the U17s in attendance to receive their Gold Medals.
Co-Captains Aoibheann Donnelly and Evie McCafferty receiving their trophy with Kukri Country Manager, Neil Patterson
A huge highlight of the evening was welcoming NNI Senior Head Coach Sheonah Forbes, U17 Head Coach Jenny Clayton and NI Warrior and Miss Northern Ireland 2nd Runner up 2024 Lauren Walshe to the stage for a Q&A. It was enlightening to hear from some Netball NI coaches and one very special Warrior.
Special Guests Jenny Clayton, Lauren Walshe and Sheonah Forbes with event Host and NNI Digital Media and Communications Executive Emma Wallace
As the awards were presented and the night unfolded, it provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by netball in Northern Ireland. The event allowed the netball community to express gratitude to everyone involved in the sport, from players and coaches to administrators and volunteers. It was a chance to recognise the collective effort required to achieve success and to thank those who contribute their time and resources to the growth and development of netball.
The Netball NI Awards Night was a resounding success, celebrating the achievements of league winners, honouring the newest inductee of the Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame and recognising other outstanding individuals within the netball community. This prestigious event not only celebrated the accomplishments of the winners but also highlighted the immense talent, dedication and passion that thrives within the world of netball in Northern Ireland. It served as a reminder of the sport’s profound impact and promising future, inspiring future generations to reach greater heights.
Netball NI Awards 2024: Back To The Galgorm For An Unforgettable Night!
Link for Tickets: https://forms.office.com/e/v8xgknnfLm
Link for NNI Individual award nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/VtzBKv1gvg
Link for NNI Club and Team Award Nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/xEhHUAC74V
Link for Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame Award Nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/aRgQRVG9Ke
BUS ENQUIRY: email Rachel on admin@netballni.org by 10th May.
Prepare for an evening of celebration, honouring individuals and beautiful locale as Netball Northern Ireland’s prestigious Awards Night returns to the illustrious setting of Galgorm Resort and Spa. After the resounding success of last year’s event, we are gearing up to honour the outstanding achievements of our netball stars, league victors, and trailblazers who continue to shape netball’s landscape in Northern Ireland.
The Netball NI Awards Night will pay tribute to League winners and the excellence within our sport. It will honour remarkable individuals who volunteer so much of their time to keep our club and school netball going as well as embrace our legacy following the unveiling of the esteemed Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame last year. We will once again pay tribute to those whose indelible mark on netball in Northern Ireland will forever be etched in history.
Netball NI invites you to be a part of this extraordinary celebration, an event that not only honours the achievements of our netball stars but also ignites the flame of inspiration in the hearts of future generations. Together, let’s celebrate excellence, embrace legacy, and pave the way for a future where netball continues to thrive and inspire.
We are Netball NI, and we really are #strongesttogether
BUS ENQUIRY: email Rachel on admin@netballni.org by 10th May.
Link for Tickets: https://forms.office.com/e/v8xgknnfLm
Link for NNI Individual award nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/VtzBKv1gvg
Link for NNI Club and Team Award Nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/xEhHUAC74V
Link for Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame Award Nominations – https://forms.office.com/e/aRgQRVG9Ke
Celebrating Excellence: Netball Northern Ireland Awards Night Honours individuals, League Winners and Hall of Fame Inductees!
The Netball NI Awards Night was a momentous occasion that brought together netballers, sponsors and the extended netball family in NI to celebrate the outstanding achievements of league winners, pay tribute to the first inductees of the esteemed Moya McVeigh Hall of Fame, and acknowledge other remarkable award winners. This star-studded event was a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion that permeate the world of netball in Northern Ireland.
The Netball NI Awards Night began with a flourish as league winners from various divisions took centre stage. It was a proud moment for these teams and players who had demonstrated exceptional teamwork, strategy, and resilience throughout the season. The presentation highlighted their outstanding accomplishments and the commitment they had shown to their sport. We were thankful to welcome Debbie Hallas Managing Director of our retail partner Netball UK to present the League trophies.
Our Junior League winners this year are as follows:
U14C – Clann Eireann 2
U14B – Westside
U14A – Crumlin 1
U16A – Crumlin 1
U19A – Belfast Ladies 1
Our Senior League winners this year are:
Senior 5 – Bangor 3
Senior 3 – Crumlin 3
Senior 2 – Bangor 1
Senior 1 – Donaghadee 1
Premier League – Belfast Ladies 1
Beyond the league winners, the Netball NI Awards Night also paid tribute to several individuals who had excelled in their respective areas of expertise. Awards were presented for categories such as NI Pathway Coach of The Year, The Erin Thomson Award for the ‘Most Promising Young Player’, International player of the year, and Official of the Year. These individuals were applauded for their exceptional contributions, commitment, and dedication to the sport.
Our Winners on the night were: