March Volunteer of the Month

For more than thirty years, Tricia Chapman has been active in Ceredigion and had an immense impact on netball in the County and the surrounding area. Because of her unwavering commitment, Tricia is our March Volunteer of the Month.

After her move to Aberystwyth, Tricia immediately continued her love of netball by joining a team at the University. This began her continual involvement and dedication to Netball. The Bont Blades Netball Club was established in 2012, with Tricia quickly becoming Head Coach to around 30 members (14 years +) at this rural club.  She shows wholehearted commitment to the team, never missing a coaching session and sometimes traveling many miles to join them. As a very spritely 70-year-old she is still an active team player (a great Goal Keeper!) for the Bont Blades, something that encourages women in their later years to get on the court, keep fit and active – and enjoy the game.

Something that speaks volumes of Tricia’s character, is that when she noticed a lack of qualified umpires in West Wales (something that was hindering competitive netball leagues in the area) she quickly went on to become a fully qualified C – Award Umpire. Always actively working on her personal development, after studying hard, she is now fluent in the Welsh Language. She will also ensure her knowledge of rule changes in the National and International circuit is up to date! More recently, she has set up Penrhyncoch Netball Club in Aberystwyth where she is a coach and umpire. Not only does Tricia volunteer her time to develop netball in club settings, but she has also been an intricate part of setting up the Ceredigion Netball League in March 2016, and now sits as the League Chair.

Constantly recruiting new players, getting people back to netball and patiently mentoring and giving opportunities to developing umpires – Tricia recognises this is an important for the future of Netball in the area. She is also an advocate for BUCS University League, and the Urdd Junior Tournaments. Most importantly to many of the players, Tricia is keen to ensure the mental health and happiness of all clubs and players she is involved with. A true ambassador of women participating in sport and netball in Wales. As an individual, she is received as confident, warm, friendly, and a greatly capable coach, umpire and manager.

“Tricia is classed as ‘a true diamond’ picking up every role necessary to ensure maximum levels of: Player and umpire development, match improvement, game strategy, overall team performance, player confidence, and the seamless organisation of the club(s) – including the tireless fund-raising activities required to keep any club afloat.”

– Lisa McFall (Founder and manager of Bont Blades Netball Club, and Treasurer of the Ceredigion Netball League).

Tricia’s involvement in Netball in Ceredigion and in Wales is entirely on a volunteer basis. Her involvement, contribution, and development make her highly respected by fellow coaches and umpires alike. Thank you, Tricia, for all you have done, and all you will continue to do, to develop netball in your area. The positive impact you have made is without a doubt!

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