Wales Netball
July 16, 2019
Following Welsh Netball’s 2019 Annual General Meeting, two new Directors have taken up a position on the Board of the National Governing Body.
Julia Longville becomes Welsh Netball’s new Director of Performance, taking over from Lesley Riddell who has completed the maximum of three terms of service. Longville is Dean of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Education and Social Policy and has been involved with Welsh Netball for many years as a coach of the senior Wales team. Longville also serves on the Sport Wales Board and has extensive experience in education and education inspection.
Meanwhile, Carol Anthony becomes Welsh Netball’s new Director of Compliance and Engagement. She takes the position of Jean Foster on the Board, with Foster having also completed the maximum of three terms of service. Anthony has just completed a term as the Chair of Welsh Athletics and is a former Chair of Welsh Netball, 2004-06. Anthony has extensive experience in commercial and education sectors and is a former Wales international in netball. She also previously served on the Board of Netball Europe.
The position of Director of Finance, formerly held by Mike Halfpenny is now vacant. Halfpenny has also served the maximum number of terms as a Director. Welsh Netball is currently advertising for the role, you can read the role advert here.
Speaking about the Directors who have completed their terms of service with Welsh Netball, Catherine Lewis, Welsh Netball Chair, said: “I would like to thank the three of our Directors who are stepping down this year: Jean Foster, Lesley Riddell and Mike Halfpenny. Jean, Lesley and Mike have helped guide Welsh Netball through some of its most challenging years and I think them for their service and commitment to netball in Wales.”
Sarah Jones, Welsh Netball CEO, welcomed the new additions to the Board. She said: “I am pleased to welcome Julia Longville and Carol Anthony to the Board of Welsh Netball. Julia and Carol are longstanding and highly respected members of the netball community in Wales. They each bring invaluable sets of skills acquired from their distinguished careers, which will enable Welsh Netball to further progress on its governance journey.”
She added: “I would also like to thank Mike, Lesley and Jean for their significant service to netball. Over the last 12 years, they helped set the direction of travel for netball in Wales and their contributions mean that our game has a very bright future.”
On finishing her twelve years with the Welsh Netball Board, Jean Foster reflected on the achievement of the Governing Body. She said: “I’m really proud of the can-do attitude of our Chair, Catherine Lewis and the Board members who worked together to put Welsh Netball back on the map. I’m pleased to now see the realisation of the potential for the top female sport in Wales.
“I hope to see continued growth: more members, more coaches, more officials and more facilities a sport that provides for all ages and capabilities.
“I feel privileged and honoured to have represented Wales at two INF World Congresses and five Netball Europe Council and AGM meetings, not to mention the lifelong friends I have made on this journey.
“A huge thanks to all those volunteers who give up so much time to our sport and for all the support that was given to me during my time in the office of Welsh Netball.”
Foster – – who has just been appointed to serve on the Board of Netball Europe as Secretary – plans to continue her involvement with netball in Wales and beyond, saying: ” I still plan to be involved with Netball Llantrisant Netball Club and the Glamorgan Valleys Junior League. I’ll continue to enjoy supporting Welsh squads and Celtic Dragons. I also intend to work within the Netball Europe to help strengthen the game throughout the region.”
Welsh Netball is also pleased to report that following the AGM, Vice-President Sheila Cooksley and Chair Catherine Lewis will continue in their roles for a further term.
