Wales Netball
August 28, 2026
Wales Netball’s Community Development Team continue to work across the whole of Wales, providing regional support to clubs, leagues, schools and the wider netball community. The roles are designed to strengthen Wales Netball’s presence within local communities and provide a direct point of contact for those involved in the delivery and development of the game.
The Community Development Team’s work spans a broad range of areas, including participation, club and league development, schools, workforce development, competitions and community programmes. The role also has an important responsibility to promote and support good safeguarding practice and governance.
In addition to their regional responsibilities, each officer has a specific area of focus within Wales Netball.
Meet your Community Development Team
Sue Williams: Community Development Lead – North Wales
(Conwy ,Denbighshire ,Flintshire ,Gwynedd ,Isle of Anglesey (Cyngor Môn), North Powys including Newtown, Wrexham)
Additional Area of Focus: Workforce Development
Contact: 07810277373 | sue.williams@walesnetball.com
Sue works across North Wales, supporting clubs, leagues and communities throughout the region.
Sport has been a significant part of Sue’s working life. With a degree in Sports Management and experience across facility management and sports development, she also brings more than 20 years of experience running a netball club alongside a dedicated team of volunteers.
For Sue, one of the most inspiring things about netball is the community that grows around the sport. From teammates and coaches to volunteers and clubs, she values the relationships, memories and opportunities that netball can create long beyond someone’s time on court.
Alongside her Community Development responsibilities, Sue has a particular focus on Workforce Development, supporting the development of coaches, officials and volunteers across Wales.
Her remit includes supporting the recruitment and retention of volunteers, coordinating coaching and officiating opportunities and helping people continue to develop their knowledge and skills. She is particularly passionate about giving people opportunities to become involved in netball and supporting them throughout their journey, whether as players, coaches, volunteers or clubs.
Sue will also be providing regular visits to leagues across North Wales, alongside opportunities to meet clubs and organisations in person.
Safeguarding and Governance support are integral to this work, helping to ensure that those involved in delivering netball understand their responsibilities and are supported in providing positive, appropriate environments for participants.
“When I talk about my netball memories as a player and a coach, it’s very rarely about the results. It’s about the people I was with and the laughter we shared along the way.”
Heulwen Lewis: Community Development Officer – West Wales
(Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, South Powys, Swansea)
Additional Area of Focus: Schools
Contact: 07764969370 | Heulwen.lewis@walesnetball.com
Heulwen works across West Wales, supporting clubs, leagues, schools and community netball.
She brings three years of experience working in community sport, having previously worked as a Sports Community Officer with Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
What inspires Heulwen most about netball is its ability to bring people together, build confidence and teamwork and create a genuine sense of belonging. One of the most rewarding parts of sport for her is seeing young players develop their skills and experiencing the moment when something they have been working on finally clicks and comes to life on court.
Her additional focus is Schools, supporting the development of netball across primary and secondary education and helping to strengthen the connections between schools and community clubs.
Heulwen’s remit includes supporting participation in schools, identifying opportunities to grow the provision, upskilling educators, and helping to establish clearer pathways between school and club netball.
She is particularly passionate about creating inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in netball, develop their skills and enjoy the sport.
Safeguarding and Governance support are also key considerations within her work, particularly where activity involves children and young people, and form part of the standards expected across Wales Netball.
“I’m here to support you and your community, so please get in touch and let me know how I can help.”
Jake Allen: Community Development Officer – East Wales
(Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan)
Additional Area of Focus: National Competitions
Contact: 07842013366 | Jacob.allen@walesnetball.com
Jake works across East Wales, supporting clubs, leagues and communities throughout the region.
He brings significant experience in community sports development, having spent nine years as a WRU Rugby Hub Officer before working as a Women’s and Girls’ Rugby Officer with the WRU and Dragons. He also holds a degree in Sports Development.
For Jake, the strength of netball lies in its identity as a true team sport, with every player on court contributing to both attack and defence. He is particularly passionate about seeing more young people participating in the game and wants to see schools, clubs, leagues and community environments filled with netball activity and positive experiences.
Alongside his regional responsibilities, Jake has a particular focus on National Competitions, contributing to the organisation and delivery of Wales Netball competition activity.
Competition and event delivery form part of Jake’s wider remit, which includes supporting national competition events alongside regional programmes and activity.
Regular communication with clubs and communities will be a key part of Jake’s approach, alongside getting out into the region to visit community activity, schools, games and festivals.
Safeguarding, Governance and participant welfare also form an important part of this work, helping to ensure competition and community environments are appropriately managed and provide a positive experience for everyone involved.
“If you see me out and about, come and say hi!”
Community engagement throughout the summer and start of season Club Forum
The Community Development team has continued its work throughout the summer period in preparation for the 2026/27 season.
During July and August, activity has focused on three main areas: summer holiday festivals and camps, workforce development activity and upcoming start-of-season Club forums.
The team has been attending activities across Wales, including Local Authority camps, Fit Fed Fun multisport camps, community club camps and Urdd camps. These visits provide an opportunity to engage directly with participants, promote Wales Netball membership and develop relationships with local partners.
Workforce development has also continued throughout the summer, with activity including Netball Leaders, Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching Awards, Introduction to Umpiring, C Award Umpire courses and Game Management development.
Supporting the start of the 2026/27 season
As clubs and leagues prepare for the new season, Community Development Officers are also providing regional support around membership and affiliation.
This includes Club and League forum opportunities, as well as additional support for individual members who may require assistance with affiliation.
The regional structure means clubs and leagues have a dedicated point of contact who can help direct them towards the appropriate support, information and development opportunities available through Wales Netball.
Wales Netball membership
Community Development Team form part of the wider support available to Wales Netball clubs and leagues.
Through affiliation, clubs and leagues can access Wales Netball support, resources, and development opportunities throughout the season, with their regional Community Development Officer providing a direct connection to activities in their area.
Find out more about Club and League Membership for the 2026/27 season and the support available through Wales Netball.
