East Midlands Netball Community Shows Its Support in Glasgow
Players, volunteers, officials and supporters from across the region came together to be part of an unforgettable Commonwealth Games experience!
The Commonwealth Games brought together the very best of international netball, and the East Midlands was proudly represented both on and off the court as players, officials, volunteers and supporters travelled to Glasgow to be part of the action.
Throughout the tournament, members of the East Midlands netball family made the journey north to get behind Team England and celebrate our sport on one of its biggest stages. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces from across the region sharing their experiences and creating lasting memories.
Among those supporting from the stands were members of Portland and Mellish Walking Netball Group, who proudly cheered on the Roses throughout the competition. Members of Thistle Netball Club in Nottingham were also in attendance, showing their support for Team England and helping to create an incredible atmosphere inside the arena.
Northamptonshire was particularly well represented, with Northamptonshire County Netball Officiating Lead, Nic Grant, volunteering at the Games, while Northamptonshire Netball Development Officer Kelly Thomson also travelled to Glasgow. They were joined by members of Towcester Netball League, Northants Storm Netball Club and Oundle Town Netball Club, highlighting the passion for netball that exists across the county.
Leicestershire's presence was equally strong, with members of Ashby Netball Club making the trip to support the sport and celebrate the achievements of athletes from across the Commonwealth.
Closer to home, members of the netball community also came together to support Team England. In Lincolnshire,
Walking Netball participants enjoyed a special tournament and watch party ahead of England's group-stage fixture against Australia. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for players to connect, enjoy some friendly competition across six teams and cheer on the team together. Congratulations to
Melport 2, who were crowned tournament champions, and
Nocton Nutters, who secured the silver medals. The day was a wonderful celebration of Walking Netball and showcased the strong sense of community that exists within the game across Lincolnshire.
The East Midlands was also represented on the international stage by an impressive number of players and officials. Representing Team England were Loughborough Lightning's Jess Shaw and Ella Clark, alongside Nottingham Forest's Jayda Pechová and newly signed Imogen Allison, who proudly wore the red dress in front of packed crowds.
Elsewhere, several athletes connected to the East Midlands showcased their talents for their respective nations. Forest NSL stars Brie Grierson and Rhea Dixon helped Jamaica secure a silver medal, while Niamh Cooper and NXT Gen athlete Evelyn McCagherty represented Northern Ireland, who finished 11th overall.
Rolene Streutker recorded a strong fifth-place finish with South Africa, while Iona Christian represented Scotland, finishing eighth. Nottingham Forest NXT Gen athlete Meg Pilkington also competed at the Games, representing Wales, who finished 10th.
Adding to the region's representation was Derbyshire's Kate Mann, who was selected to umpire at the competition. Officiating at a major multi-sport event is a tremendous achievement and reflects the high-quality officiating talent being developed within the East Midlands.
The Games provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only elite performance but also the strength of our wider netball community. From players and coaches to officials, volunteers and supporters, the East Midlands was represented at every level of the event.
We would like to thank everyone who travelled to Glasgow, volunteered their time, represented their nation or showed their support from the stands. Your passion, commitment and enthusiasm helped showcase the very best of East Midlands netball and demonstrated the important role our region continues to play within the sport.
Feeling inspired by the Commonwealth Games? Whether you'd like to step onto the court, support from the sidelines, develop your coaching skills or take up the whistle, there's a place for you in the netball family. Explore the opportunities below to find out how you can get involved with England Netball and netball in the East Midlands.
