This August, Wales Netball saw unprecedented numbers of re-affiliations to the National Governing Body, as Wales’ netball community came together to support the sport in its time of need.
Ordinarily, August marks the quiet beginning of a new netball season. Many netballers are on their holidays and community netball is enjoying a well-earned break. August 2020, however, was very different.
Wales Netball has experienced a huge demand for re-affiliation to the National Governing Body, with well over 2,000 members re-joining for 2020/21! Netball clubs across Wales are returning to organised group activity, with the sport at Stage 3 of the ‘Return to Play’ roadmap. This means that now is an ideal time for netballers to re-affiliate for the new season, gaining access to a host of benefits.
To reflect this huge level of support for the Governing Body, Wales Netball has decided to extend its Early Bird membership offer (originally ending on 31 August) to 10 September, so more members can take advantage of a 10% discount. You can renew your membership/join Wales Netball here.
Members’ support for Wales Netball will prove instrumental in safeguarding the future of netball in Wales and will allow us to continue to support Wales’ clubs and leagues through the pandemic. Membership not only brings with it a wealth of individual benefits, but it also allows Wales Netball to run the grassroots and elite level netball programmes that grow the game and inspire international success. You can see exactly who your membership is benefiting by watching our #TogetherWeAreNetball video here.
Supporting the netball community through the pandemic has been Wales Netball’s number one priority. The ‘Return to Play’ roadmap and the #NetsGetReady checklist have enabled clubs to return to organised netball group activity safely, in line with Welsh Government regulations. Wales Netball is continuing to work hard on moving the sport safely to the next stage of the ‘Return to Play’ roadmap as soon as it is able to do so.
Reacting to the great level of support Wales Netball has received during August, Wales Netball CEO Sarah Jones said: “The reaction of the netball community to our 2020 membership campaign has been fantastic. We have had over 2,000 members affiliate to the Governing Body in a matter of weeks with hundreds joining them each day. We would like to thank everyone who has renewed/joined and to those in the area associations, leagues and clubs working collaboratively with us on 2020/21 affiliations.
“The pandemic has put our sport in a precarious position, but our members have the power to protect our sport. Everyone’s individual membership does so much more than just allowing them to play the sport, it provides the opportunities and the backbone for the netball to operate.
“Our #TogetherWeAreNetball campaign has showcased the full breadth of our netball community. It is a reminder that we are a community of 10,000 women and girls who share a common bond through netball. Thank to everyone who has renewed or joined Wales Netball so far.”