Netball Coach Vicki Randall Through to BBC Unsung Hero Final.

After recently being named as BBC Wales Sport’s Unsung Hero, netball coach Vicki Randall is one of fifteen candidates in the running to win overall ‘BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero’ 2016.  The winner will be announced live during the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year programme, this Sunday 18 December.

Now in its 14^th year, the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award celebrates people from around the UK who volunteer their time and efforts to help people participate in sport.  Following the surprise news that she will need to attend the SPOTY awards evening alongside renowned sport personalities, Vicki has had to change her holiday plans to go to the event.

“I was actually due to go on holiday on Saturday, but I’ve managed to book a later flight for the Monday,” Vicki explains.

“If I was to win I would be honoured to win it on behalf of Wales, south east Wales and for our clubs at both netball and football.

“I’m so excited to meet all the sports stars that I’ve spent my life watching and cheering on.”

A PE Teacher from Cwmbran, Vicki Randall was recognised for her volunteering work in both netball and football.  Vicki received her award at the Wales Sport Awards earlier this month, in front of hundreds of sport heroes and heroines.

“I’ve literally been on cloud 9 for the last few weeks,” says 29-year-old Vicki, who turned to coaching after being forced to give up playing netball due to injury.

“Winning this award means so much – the clubs have had so much positive recognition from it and the children have all loved the filming involved with the BBC.”

Vicki set up Cwmbran Youth netball club in 2009 with just five girls, which has now grown to 14 teams. Vicki typically spends four evenings a week coaching sport after work, often more than one session per evening.  At weekends, she spends most Saturdays organising netball matches and tournaments.  She also organises a weekly ‘netball tots’ club for children aged between one and five.

Vicki also runs Risca Netball Club, managing all five of their teams in the south east Wales League. Between netball and football, Vicki has encouraged more than 200 girls to play sport every week.

“I’m so pleased that Vicki’s achievements have been recognised,” says Welsh Netball Chief Executive Sarah Jones.

“She is one of many inspirational women in Wales who give so much of their time and energy to the sport.

“We at Welsh Netball are very proud, and wish her the best of luck for Sunday,” adds Sarah.

You can watch BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year programme live on BBC One on the evening of Sunday, 18 December.

ENDS