Welsh Netball Remembers Norma Stephen

Last month, Welsh Netball was saddened to learn of the passing of Norma Stephen. Here, Wales’ leading bench official and long serving netball volunteer, Wendy Pressdee BEM, remembers Norma.

“Norma played for Apex teams throughout her playing days and was always very active in the organisation of the club’s teams, being club secretary for many years.

“She played and umpired in the Swansea Netball League since early in its existence and also in West Glamorgan League. She was still both playing and umpiring until the start of lockdown.

“For the last few years she was President of Swansea Netball League and before that she was Chairman for many years.

“During her time on the committee of West Glamorgan Association she was very involved in the organisation of matches between West Wales (a team made up of players from both West Glamorgan and Dyfed) against Australia and a second match against Canada. 

“She was always very supportive of umpires and for a long time was an umpire mentor and an umpire assessor for Welsh Netball.  She also spent some time as a selector for Welsh Netball squads.

“She was an inspiration to many netball players of all ages and will be greatly missed by netball, especially her Club  and the Leagues.”

Welsh Netball would like to wish Norma’s family, friends and the Swansea netball community our deepest condolences. Norma’s contribution to netball in Swansea and across Wales is a wonderful legacy and her work on behalf of the netball community has inspired countless netballers.