The Jean Bourne Back to Netball Award is presented to a Back to Netball participant from the East Midlands whose personal life style has changed significantly since coming back to netball.

The Award honours Jean who died in 2014 and was a valuable volunteer within the Region. Jean was Chair of Nottinghamshire, Chair of East Midlands and from 1994 to 2000, President of England Netball. Jean was also a Panel (A Award) umpire and Nottinghamshire coach and was passionate about netball and grassroots netball supporting and attending Regional events long after her retirement.

To be eligible, nominees must have taken part in an East Midlands Back to Netball session and have completed an England Netball Back to Netball Participant Registration Form. Nominations should be able to demonstrate how Back to Netball has impacted in a particularly positive way on the Back to Netballer’s personal lifestyle and has done or achieved something special for their group. (This could be organising social events, completing an officiating course or looking after kit etc.) 

All nominations should be seconded by a Back to Netball Coach or by an England Netball Development Officer/Community Coach.

The Jean Perkins Walking Netball Award is presented to a Walking Netball participant from the East Midlands whose personal lifestyle has changed significantly since coming to the Walking Netball sessions.

Jean Perkins OBE, who died in 2017 was a dedicated volunteer who had many roles within the Region. A Panel (A Award) umpire and tutor, a coach tutor and assessor and Chair of East Midlands Netball, Jean worked hard for inclusion within our sport and formed the first netball club in the region for ladies with a learning disability.

To be eligible, nominees must have taken part in an East Midlands Walking Netball session and have completed an England Netball Participant Registration Form. Nominations should be able to demonstrate how Walking Netball has impacted in a particularly positive way on the walking Netballer’s personal lifestyle as well as showing their passion, support and dedication to their group. (This could be organising social events, becoming a WN Host, organising special tops/T-shirts etc.) All nominations should be seconded by a Walking Netball Host or by an England Netball Development Officer/Community Coach.

This award was initiated in memory of Jean Staley, who was tragically killed in November 1987, aged 38. Jean’s main attributes were her efficiency in administration, commitment to playing and umpiring within her Club, County and Region as well as an overall dedication to netball in whatever role.

With this in mind, nominees should fulfill the following criteria:

The Nominee should have been involved at Club, County and Region in one or more of the following roles: Administration, Umpire or Coach. It should be stressed that the emphasis is on work done at ALL levels (although not necessarily the same discipline).

The East Midlands Long Service Award is approved by the East Midlands Regional Management Board for any registered participant or member of an affiliated school who has given service to the region (not club or county) for at least 10 years (this need not be consecutive) within any capacity i.e., Player, Umpire, Coach, Administrator, Volunteer, Table Official etc.