Wales Netball
September 29, 2025
My name is Aimee Edwards and I am privileged to be Vice Chair of the Wales Netball Forward Futures Collective. I started playing aged seven at Rhosnesni Netball Club in Wrexham, unaware that the game would become the foundation for my confidence, drive and perseverance, not to mention a source of community and lifelong friendships. Now aged twenty-one, having been lucky enough to compete at performance level in Welsh pathways and represent Loughborough University, alongside playing I aspire to instil a similarly enduring enthusiasm in the junior players I coach at Rhosnesni. My role within the FFC facilitates a nationwide pursuit of this goal; through collaboration, our board aligns diverse perspectives around a common aim to reduce inequalities and increase opportunities for the future of netball in Wales.
As Wales Netball’s first Youth Board, we began our first meeting with a completely clean slate; this was simultaneously a challenge and an incredible opportunity. The lack of former members, prior frameworks and informative outcomes pushed us, with the invaluable support of Wales Netball, to generate our own ideas. Constantly learning through experience, we defined what it means to champion the values of Wales Netball, setting the tone for future youth voices. On a personal level, my involvement with the Youth Board has enhanced my confidence immensely; frequent opportunities to deliver intra- and inter- organisational presentations have boosted my conviction and clarity as a public speaker.
Observing tangible change within Wales Netball based on suggestions made by the FFC has been incredibly fulfilling. For me, a moment which highlighted the significance of our efforts was when I learned from my club secretary that our Youth Board’s ideas had been discussed at a Forum. Knowing that our contributions inform discussions at higher levels of the organisation, with feedback on consequent actions taken fed back to us at every meeting, is extremely rewarding; our collective voice is evidently heard and valued.
A dynamic, enthusiastic, trusting and forward-thinking culture has characterised our Youth Board meetings since day one. Comprising individuals aged between 16 and 25, our Collective is strengthened by the diverse backgrounds and experiences each member offers. We have fostered an inclusive and accepting environment where ideas can be expressed freely and without judgement, which is especially important when discussing challenging topics. One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience has been witnessing some of our younger members steadily grow in confidence; it has been amazing to watch everyone flourish within the group, driven by mutual support.
Some of our most impactful discussions this year have been those that break the societal silence around stigmatised subjects. From period poverty to inclusive kit, certain topics may feel uncomfortable, but that is exactly why we should continue to address them: they shouldn’t be. Going forward, the FFC undoubtedly has the potential to challenge norms and drive meaningful change in these areas. If you are a young person considering joining the Wales Netball Youth Board in the future, go for it. Your voice is a valuable vehicle for change and the opportunity to shape the future of netball in Wales is unmissable.
Motivated by a desire to give something back to the NGB that has provided me with so many opportunities to play, I initially joined the FFC to ensure that youth voices were being heard where it mattered. Whilst this remains my primary ambition, my experience on the Youth Board this year has taught me that commitment and patience are imperative to creating long-term change, as the complexities of sport governance have become apparent. My focus has shifted from solely wanting to have my voice heard to being invested in the active processes driving change for future generations of netballers.
Working alongside incredible individuals with a common goal of making netball accessible to all has only enriched the sense of community the sport provides. I am very grateful to Wales Netball for the opportunity and hope that together, we can continue to work towards a ‘Bigger, Better and Bolder’ future for netball in Wales.
