April Volunteer of the Month

Philippa Farrell has been involved in netball throughout North Wales since childhood and has grown into numerous supporting roles to help advance the sport in her area. Due to her unwavering commitment to the numerous responsibilities Philippa has and continues to take on, she is our Volunteer of the Month this April.

Philippa is the Welfare and Safeguarding Lead for both Abergele Netball Club, North West Wales Junior League and North West Wales Senior League. As a foster carer she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into this role and is well sought after!

“Philippa is fair-minded within her approaches and always ensures an equitable representation and consideration for all.” – Hayley Grayson – Abergele Netball Club Communications Officer, Coach & Umpire

Abergele Netball Club prioritises the well-being of its over 100 players through proactive safeguarding measures, spearheaded by Welfare and Safeguarding lead Philippa. Beyond diligently managing the club’s safeguarding email inbox, actively promoting adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures, and engaging in continuous professional development, Philippa oversees a significant initiative: the club’s Welfare Form. Developed with an understanding of well-being’s broad and complex nature, this continuously accessible form provides a vital channel for players to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and feedback, as well as to communicate any changes in their personal circumstances. Philippa diligently monitors these submissions, ensuring that relevant information is shared appropriately with club committee members and coaches, making the Welfare Form a cornerstone of the club’s supportive ethos.

“Her commitment to the club hasn’t wavered. I think her commitment and contribution this season has been crucial to ensuring that things continue to run… She still finds the time to check in with people and puts player welfare first. She is fair, approachable and listens without judgement” – Abergele Netball Club Committee

Philippa’s dedication to Abergele Netball Club shines through her multifaceted involvement. Not only does she oversee Welfare and Safeguarding, but she is also an active club coach for both junior and senior teams, leading training sessions across all age levels. Her commitment translates to a significant volunteer contribution, dedicating up to three days a week to coaching throughout the season. Furthermore, Philippa extends her support to the wider netball community within the North West Leagues, regularly assisting other clubs with umpire coverage and contributing to the umpire mentoring system. According to Hayley Grayson of Abergele Netball Club, Philippa consistently demonstrates an extraordinary level of volunteerism for her local club:

“Over the Christmas period, two of the Abergele Netball Clubs’ main coaches had to step back from coaching due to injury and to support an immediate family member through cancer treatment. With very little preparation time, Philippa stepped into the role of lead coach and coordinated training sessions moving forward alongside her role in providing welfare support to members. This ensured the club could continue to run over multiple months. As well as the above, Philippa is also a player herself but often puts her players before herself to prioritises their enjoyment, development and welfare.”

Players from the club have shared their experiences with Phillipa, and what a positive and brilliant experience they have:

“Always checking in when things are not quite right, very caring and considerate. Always very welcoming and approachable. A real credit to our club.”

“She is someone the juniors and youth team look up to, she always has great advice for senior players, she umpires, she welfares, she hosts committee meetings, she’s just great.”

Philippa’s impact on her community is undeniable, and we want to add our voice to the chorus of appreciation. Her ongoing dedication and support for both the Leagues and Abergele Netball Club are invaluable, as is her commitment to fostering a healthy and safe environment for everyone involved in North West netball. We recognize and thank you for your efforts, Philippa. Diolch yn fawr!

Wales Netball’s Volunteers of the Month will be announced at the beginning of every month, with an article going on our website and posts going out across all social media channels.

If you would like to nominate your coach, an umpire, or someone who helps your netball club and the wider community, complete the nomination form using this link – https://forms.gle/fREqFRkPFyHnoPRn6