June Volunteer of the Month

In the heart of Bridgend’s netball community, one name emerges as a beacon of dedication, passion and unwavering commitment: Emma Bacon. Emma is far more than the Club Chair of Bridgend Jets, but also the pulse of the club, the driving force behind its growth and an advocate for women in sport, making her our Volunteer of the Month for June!   

Seven years ago, in 2018, Emma Bacon had a vision. What began as a simple desire to bring friends together for fitness and fun through netball quickly blossomed into Bridgend Jets, a thriving club that now welcomes players of all abilities. From those humble beginnings, Emma’s dedication has seen the club expand exponentially, transforming it into a cornerstone of the local netball community. 

Today, Emma wears many hats within the Jets family. As Club Chair and Head Coach, she steers the committee, meticulously oversees player welfare, actively recruits new players, and dedicates countless hours to organising club events, tours, and training sessions. All of this, she does as a volunteer, driven purely by her love for the game and her commitment to the community she has fostered.  

‘Founder and head coach, Emma is a testament to the success of the Jets. She welcomes and supports women of all netballing abilities. Emma organises mentorship for girls wanting to pursue their coaching and officiating journeys. Her commitment and passion for every player past and present is unwavering. Emma is a great leader and friend who goes above and beyond for her Jets family’ – Kelly Wilson 

Emma’s impact extends far beyond the court. She is a dedicated mentor, actively guiding and supporting players on their umpiring and coaching journeys. Last season alone, she successfully navigated two coaches through their Level 1 Coaching Course and another to their C Award in Umpiring, with more eagerly awaiting their assessments. Emma regularly arranges for assessors to attend training sessions, providing invaluable opportunities for budding umpires to hone their skills and build confidence. 

 ‘Not only does Emma welcome and support all players of all different levels whether that is playing, coaching or umpiring but she also supports players off the court and is always an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. She always goes above and beyond in everything she does and her attention to detail is incredible’ – Corraine Morgan 

One powerful testament to Emma’s nurturing spirit comes from Emily Williamson, a player who found her footing and passion for coaching thanks to Emma’s belief. Emily originally played for a Cardiff team and after 10 years, decided to move to a club closer to home. She chose to join Bridgend Jets and at first, she was anxious playing and finding her place within a new club. Emma picked up that she enjoyed the tactics of the game and encouraged her to enrol onto one of our Level 1 Coaching Courses, fully funded by the club.  

“As a relatively new player to the club, I was quite touched by her belief in me. I am certainly not the loudest voice in the room, but Emma’s support has really helped me grow in confidence. Whilst doing the course Emma made sure I had opportunity to get involved and plan sessions during training and was on hand to answer questions.” – Emily Williamson 

Since completing her Level 1, Emma continues to give Emily opportunities to practice her coaching skills and plan sessions, providing her with invaluable experiences to develop her confidence.  

Beyond her formal roles. Emma is very family oriented and has created a safe space for all to participate, including mothers. Emma ensures there is a place for everyone at Jets regardless of their ability. Her passion for netball is infectious and she is well known and respected within the Bridgend netball community. At the end of last season, alongside their social secretary, she planned Bridgend Leagues presentation evening, setting the bar high for future years!  

‘Emma is the reason I got back into netball in my 40’s, at a time I never thought I would return to the Court, her encouragement and enthusiasm reignited my love for the game. Emma is more than just a coach. She is a constant presence for all the girls, always supportive, always available and always leading by example. Her impact on our club is dynamic and far reaching, simply put we couldn’t be without her.’ – Rachel Joll 

Thank you, Emma, for championing women in sport and going out of your way to make people feel welcome and included, as well as inspiring the next generation of coaches and umpires. We are sure Jets wouldn’t be the same without you, and hope you feel that your invaluable input is truly recognised by all those around you. 

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