June Organisation of the Month

CTK Netball Club has been a hub for young girls in the central Cardiff area for many years. As the club approaches their 20^th anniversary at the end of June, we thought it was the ideal time to celebrate all the club has accomplished by awarding them our Organisation of the Month.  

CTK Netball Club is a vibrant home for over 300 players, providing unwavering support for each and every one on their netball journey. Their thriving junior section is a testament to their dedication, boasting an impressive 3 players in the Cardiff Dragons U17 Squad, 7 players in our National Academy, and 23 players in our Regional Academy this season alone. The club’s tireless work has clearly built the strong foundations that have propelled these players to achieve such high standards. Ruby Vanstone, a shining example of CTK’s impact, beautifully articulates the club’s influence: 

“Being part of CTK netball club has been fundamental to my development as a player and has played a key role in helping me reach playing for both Wales and Cardiff Dragons under 17s. The club provided me with a strong understanding of the sport, offering high-quality coaching, regular competitive opportunities, and a supportive environment that allowed me to grow in confidence and skill. The dedication of the coaches and the sense of community within the team pushed me to work harder, stay motivated, and constantly aim higher. It was through the encouragement and love of those at CTK that I was able to take the next steps in my netball journey.” 

The legacy of CTK Netball Club shines brightly, with a record of success in our National Competitions. They’ve proudly earned trophies in our National Club Championships, including the U16 Plate in 2023, and the Most Valued Player for the U14 Cup in both 2023 and 2025. Moreover, CTK has been the nurturing ground for Welsh Feather capped players Clare Jones (32 caps), Sarah Llewellyn (16 caps), and Christina Shaw (37 caps). See Clare Jones below with her old CTK Team! 

CTK have multiple adult and junior league teams across several divisions in the Cardiff Leagues. As a happy and hardworking club, they inspire girls to enjoy netball together, no matter their preferred pathway. Some have been inspired to give back to the club through gaining umpiring and coaching qualifications, with 13 coaches and 22 umpires feeding into the success of CTK.  

“I first joined the club back in 2013, as a young and enthusiastic player, where i faced the opportunity to compete against numerous other clubs, whilst making friends and developing my passion for netball. CTK has provided me with countless opportunities, including coaching and umpiring, which i started in 2019 and have loved ever since. I love being able to give back to the club through volunteering, as many inspiring coaches did for me. CTK has developed my love and passion for netball, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the hard work and determination that has been provided over the years.” Lois Pittick – Player, Umpire, Coach 

The success of CTK Netball Club is deeply rooted in the extraordinary dedication of individuals. Jill Gildersleeve, one of the founding members, only recently retired after coaching the U16’s to the Plate victory in our National Club Championship back in 2023. Jill’s incredible enthusiasm and unwavering dedication meant she did everything imaginable to help CTK thrive, from coaching and umpiring to securing sponsorships and organizing match fees! The club are immensely thankful for her monumental contributions. 

Alongside Jill, Donna Cuddihy is a junior coach who dedicates many of her weekends to developing the skills of the U9’s – U14’s. Claire Evans and Katie Pauling have been increasingly supportive and successful in taking over the reins from Jill whilst continuing to uphold everything Jill stood for and established.  

And of course, the club extend heartfelt gratitude to the countless parents and volunteers who work tirelessly within the CTK community to ensure the club runs smoothly. Whether it’s managing finances or sending out timely Spond notifications, their hard work and dedication are truly invaluable and deeply appreciated! 

Thank you, CTK Netball Club, for twenty years of passion, dedication, and inspiring so many young girls in Cardiff! We look forward to celebrating many more years of your incredible contributions to the netball community. 

At the halfway point of every month, Wales Netball will announce its Organisation of the Month. An article will be displayed on our website and a post will be shared across all our social media channels. 

If you would like to nominate an organisation involved in the Netball community, complete the nomination form using this link: https://forms.gle/9RxwRWndbCRX4fgCA