Sheelagh Redpath MBE believes her new role as a netball community ambassador has the potential to bring people together and push the sport forward.
After more than 30 years working within England Netball, Redpath, who is originally from Bedfordshire and now based in Great Yarmouth, is excited to listen to what stakeholders in the game have to say and help create positive change.
“I’m going to be that listening ear,” said Redpath, speaking at England Netball’s centenary celebrations.
“I’m that link for the local community. I’m going to be going out to different counties and see how they’re feeling about the sport and see if they want change.”
And although Redpath knows that issues will be raised, she is hoping that those she speaks to will also bring ideas about how to improve the sport.
She continued: “I’ll go back to England Netball and relay all the feedback; we know there will be some, that happens all the time if you get a group of us together.
“But what I’m saying is, don’t give me a problem, give me the solution of how we can improve things. And that for me, is how I see this role and I’m excited about it.”
Redpath is also an international umpire and a key figure in the officiating community. She is also a champion of heritage in local events like the ONE Awards and loves connecting with the sport’s members.
England Netball’s centenary celebrations were hosted by the University of Huddersfield’s Heritage Quay.
Distinguished guests at the event included England Netball chair Baroness Sue Campbell and England Netball president and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eboni Usoro-Brown.
They joined members of the netball community to honour the sport’s history through a series of panels and a special archive display.
England Netball have been awarded funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to preserve and celebrate the sport’s history with the aim of safeguarding it for years to come.
On the display, Redpath said: “It’s mind-blowing. It’s been a ten-year journey since we came here. We started with 400 boxes arriving in a van. To see it now, catalogued and shared with the public, is incredible.”
The archive tells a story younger players may not be aware of; of times when previous generations played on grass, marked out their own courts and paid for their own kits.
“They need to understand those early years,” added Redpath. “It shows how lucky we are now. Playing this sport is the best way to make friends. You’re part of a team. You stay fit, you feel safe, and you belong. That’s what netball gives you, and that’s why it still matters.”
Campbell said: “One hundred years is a remarkable length of time for a women's game, especially if you compare it to other major sports.
Thanks to the National Lottery players, England Netball has been awarded a Heritage Fund grant to enable them to celebrate, preserve and share the rich history of the sport throughout its centenary year – England Netball Awarded Heritage Fund Grant to Celebrate and Preserve the Heritage of Netball | Eng…
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