October Volunteer of the Month

Wales Netball’s Volunteer of the Month for October goes to an individual who has made such a positive impact on the experience of her athletes; this is none other than Hayley Forrester of North Dragons Netball Club!

Hayley has coached at North Dragons Netball Club for many years. She currently coaches the club’s senior netballers and has just taken on the U11’s as well. Notably, she has also coached the North Dragons Firestorm since they were young and accompanied them on their journeys; with some having gone on to represent Wales, including the 2023, U17 athletes Freya Evans (Wales Co-captain), Carys Davies, and Holly Hughes (pictured on the left). In addition to these coaching roles, Hayley had also taken on the coaching roles for the North East Wales U18 squads and the Manchester Thunder pathway.

Her coaching style is praised endlessly by the nominees. Hayley is open, honest and does an excellent job in understanding the capabilities of her athletes, setting them personalised, reasonable goals. Hayley can spot potential and works hard to motivate athletes who aspire to compete at a higher level. Acknowledging that not everyone desires this – she keeps netball fun and stress-free for those who want to simply enjoy the sport. All the while, making sure her squad is inclusive of everyone, accepting of change and the addition of new members.

“Hayley is one in a million. She is not only a coach, but a friend to them. Its more like a close netball family than just a team “

North Dragons Netballer

Hayley not only praises North Dragon netballers but shares complements to the wider netballing community. She is the first to give credit where it is due, and often praises good play from other clubs on court. Striving to applaud and recognise the potential in all players, she is a definite netball advocate, and as a result, is well-known in the North East and well-liked by numerous other coaches.

To assure participation and competition, she goes above and beyond her coaching responsibilities. When schools were shut down due to covid, Hayley ensured the Schools Competitions kept running so girls could compete and took organising the event into her own hands. She also volunteers as the Member Organisation Umpire for North Dragons Netball club, and the Region’s Super Admin for County North East. She somehow manages to squeeze it all in amid wedding planning, work, home-life and attending her own netballer daughter’s matches!

It is undeniably clear that Hayley has a fantastic impact on the experiences of her netballers. We wish Hayley all the best in the future, and hope she continues to coach with such care and passion. Thank you, Hayley!

Wales Netball’s Volunteer of the Month will be announced at the beginning of each month, with an article going on our website and post going out across all social media channels.

The Volunteer of the Month nominations are temporarily closed due to the number of nominations we’ve already received! Keep an eye out if you have a volunteer you’d like to nominate, nominations will open again in the future.