Coaches & Umpires

Julie

Didcot Netball Club’s story and my own journey in coaching began in 2009. What started as a fun day out turned into something much bigger, sparking the determination to create a place for netball in Didcot.

From those early days, we’ve grown into a vibrant community with senior and junior sections, welcoming players from Didcot and nearby villages. As the town has grown, so has the club, but our heart and focus has always remained the same - fun, fitness, and friendship through the sport we all love.

I first became a coach simply because we needed one, but I soon discovered a passion for helping players learn and grow. Earning my Level 1 and Level 2 coaching awards allowed me to help set up our junior section and I’ve been involved ever since.

One of my greatest joys is seeing players who started as shy juniors now playing netball with confidence and pride. Watching their skills, self-belief, and a love for the game blossom is why I do what I do.

At Didcot Netball, that same love of the game that brought a handful of mums together now inspires new generations to play, grow, and experience the positive impact that sport can have on both confidence and mental wellbeing.

Jo

It's been a pleasure being part of Didcot Netball Club & original member since the start in 2010 and it's been a pleasure. Playing in the Senior teams from then until I decided to retire from playing in 2018.

During that time I also moved over with some other seniors to help set up the junior club.
I decided to challenge myself & began training to become an umpire in 2015 & Qualified as a C Umpire in 2019, such a good qualification to have under your belt & i thoroughly enjoy it. Since then we have helped several of the older juniors & a
parent take the path & they're doing brilliantly.
As a long standing member of the club committee we have taken on many roles in that time. My current role, among other side roles, is Club Safeguarding & Welfare officer for the Junior members . This has been an interesting & challenging role but has also been valuable learning tool.
I am very proud of how far we have come since 2010 & I hope that, as some of us retire, other members will take our place &
carry on with our mission..
To allow young & old to enjoy the sport of Netball & to help them continue.
Becoming coaches, umpires & joining the committee.
Come talk to us about making THAT change.

Jude

Bio coming soon!

Jess

I’ve been playing netball since I was 10 as a part of various different clubs and county set ups till I was 14. I started up as and adult again at 19, and started my Didcot netball journey about 6 years ago.

I’ve been coaching juniors for 4 years now and I love it! I’ve helped out across all age groups but am lead coach for the two U15 squads, so the up and coming year 9s and then the more established year 10s. These girls are lovely to coach and work really hard.!

Leah

I've been playing netball since I was 10, and have literally grown up at Didcot Netball Club! Though my position has changed a handful of times, I am now a GA/GS in the

Galaxies senior team as well as being the Social Media Admin for DNC.

I started coaching in 2023 as a way to give back to the club who has given me so much throughout my life, and obtained my Level One qualification at the start of 2024. I like to think my 10+ years of experience playing is helping to develop the next generation of netballing superstars! Outside of DNC, I am studying Sports Journalism at University as well as travelling around the UK to attend motorsport meetings.

Luisa

I started umpiring in 2023 and really enjoyed the idea of helping younger generations of players develop their netball skills.

As a junior I would often umpire the U13s and stay on to umpire seniors. However now as a senior, I umpire the U15s. It’s always a pleasure to see them grow in their understanding of the game week by week. Watching the players development and my increased confidence are my two favourite parts of umpiring as well as making many friends along the way!

Izzie

I started coaching at Didcot netball when I was Year nine (2021) as apart of the DofE programme for my Bronze award, ever since then I’ve carried on and enjoyed every session.

I started coaching at Didcot netball when I was Year nine (2021) as apart of the DofE programme for my Bronze award, ever since then I’ve carried on and enjoyed every session. The other coaches have supported me immensely and honestly couldn’t have done it without them, I want to complete my level 1 Coaching Course but just waiting for some slots to open up. Coaching has opened up so many opportunities for me outside of Didcot Netball Club. At Didcot I coach the U11s right through to our U17s, and watching the girls progress through each age group and develop as players is so rewarding. The four years I’ve spent coaching has made me a confident coach and I now run a Back To Netball session in my village for women who stopped playing netball and want to start again. I honestly couldn’t thank Didcot for everything they’ve done for me and I will always be eternally grateful. Being a coach is so rewarding and especially at a club that only wants the girls to perform well and enjoy it as the same time, it’s a lovely environment that I can be apart of.

I started umpiring at the start of Year ten ( September 2022) with some other member of my team so that the club can enter teams into the Oxfordshire League, and I’m so glad I accepted the offer to become an umpire. Not only am I representing the club in a sport I love and allowing other younger girls in the club to keep playing in the league, but I’ve gained so much from it. From the amazing Umpire lead at Didcot to personal mentors from the Oxfordshire league, I was able to pass my IO award within 6 months and currently working towards my C award. The avenues that have opened simply because I ahem become an umpire is incredible, I’ve been recognised in school because of my umpiring skills and I’m always called on for support, I have also been given many opportunities to umpire outside of Didcot, furthering my experience. Because of Didcot and Umpiring I have an endless amount of opportunities and experience that I am proud of. I couldn’t thank Didcot enough.

Karen

My passion for coaching started when I joined a netball club when I moved to Oxfordshire. I found a new love for the game and made some great friends and was encouraged to start coaching.

I started coaching the club I played for and Back to Netball sessions in Didcot and Abingdon - I would definitely recommend this as it was amazing seeing people who hadn't played for years enjoying netball and signing up to play for local clubs. I was then approached to coach another club in Oxfordshire once I had completed my Level 2 course. I started coaching at Didcot 3 years ago looking after the under 17 teams first and then being asked to take on the Senior training sessions last year.

The best thing about coaching is watching people develop their skills and implement tactics into matches (And yes this makes me very excited!!)

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take"