The first few months of 2022 have been busy for Wales Netball with some new faces arriving to strengthen the staff team across all departments.
The Head of Growth Role has been vacant since the promotion of Vicki Sutton to CEO back in December 2021. This has now been filled by Anneka O’Connor. Anneka is based in North East Wales and is no stranger to Wales Netball having worked for us between 2008 and 2015 as a Netball Development Officer before heading across the border to a role with England Netball. Anneka has been an active member of our Coaching and Umpiring Workforce for the past 13 years and has professional experience developing high quality volunteer programmes in a sport and leisure setting. The Head of Growth remit includes areas such as Club Development, League Support and overseeing National Competitions and Workforce Development. Anneka can be reached on Anneka.OConnor@walesnetball.com
Secondly is a new role to Wales Netball. The Head of Operations vacancy attracted much interest from a variety of candidates across multiple sectors. After a tough interview process Laura Milford was appointed to this post. Laura has made a huge impact since starting at Wales Netball in 2019. With a strong sense of customer service, Laura has built great connections with the membership here at Wales Netball over the last 2 years. In her new role as Head of Operations, Laura will continue to ensure we provide the best possible service to our members via our membership system and the way we communicate. Laura will also support the CEO to continue the robust governance journey we are on. Email our new Head of Operations at Laura.Milford@walesnetball.com
Other staffing additions include Louvain Lake who is covering the role of Performance Operations lead whilst Sarah Palmer is on maternity leave. Louvain has vast experience as both an Umpire and an International Team Manager.
Tasha Constable has joined Wales Netball in the vacant Event and Competitions Officer post. Tasha has already made a great impact through the delivery of an excellent Intercounties competition at the end of February.
Vicki Sutton had the following to say about the New Appointments. “Anneka and Laura join Sara Moore to form a completed Senior Leadership Team that will help me drive forward netball in Wales at a fast pace. All have vast experience that makes them assets to the organisation and I look forward to working with them.”
“I am equally thrilled to welcome Louvain and Tasha to the team and have really enjoyed seeing them grow into their roles over the past few months.”