Chair of the Club, Safeguarding Officer and Coach for Progression & Performance Squads

Debbie oversees all club activity as well as being our head of safeguarding, she coaches the youth sessions and team manages.

Team Manager – Ospreys

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

My daughter has been at Allestree NC since she was 11, she's now 22!  She became a coach and umpire and when she was 18 then had jaw surgery and couldn't do her coaching for a while. I coached her team while she was recovering and I've never left! 

Do you have any stand out memories?

I love my girls!  We respect each other , we chat nonsense and we listen at the right time. My stand out memory is when we won our first DANA game. We were jumping up and down in a circle together being rather loud!. It wasn't the most sporting celebration but the opposition were as pleased for us as we were! 🧡

How did your netball journey begin?

I played at school , then no netball in my life until it became Rebecca's (my daughter) passion! I started playing again about 10 years ago and really enjoy it, making special friendships along the way. 

Best netball moment

Going to the closing weekend in Liverpool for the World Cup in 2019 and buying a NZ hoody for the final!

Fave team

Leeds Rhinos

Club Secretary and Doves Team Manager

Ali has a wealth of experience in management and as such was overwhelmingly voted in as club secretary.  This year she is taking on the team management of Doves.

Team Manager – Doves

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

I played netball for a team affiliated to Allestree NC years ago, so when my daughter wanted to start playing it was naturally the first place to look . I was then asked by the club to help coach Doves and one thing has led to another!  

Do you have any stand out memories?

Love how the Doves have developed not only their netball skills but team work this last year and seeing this translate into confidence in court and then match wins! 

How did your netball journey begin?

I played at school, then later in my early twenties. I’ve always loved sport, so you will always find me playing or watching it whether it be netball, athletics, tennis, golf…. For the last 3 years I’ve played for the company I work for in the Corporate games. 

After having kids I decided to play again and set up my own adult team, we’ve just celebrated 10 years! 

Best netball moment

Hard to pin point one! 

Fave team

Got to be Loughborough Lightening- my son is a Derby season ticket holder so Forest is a no go!! 

Deputy Chair, Umpiring Secretary, Youth Head Coach and U14 Regional Lead

Bec leads both the progression and performance sessions when she is not coaching the U14 Regional team at Nottingham University.  She is responsible for coordinating the umpires for all of our fixtures.

Team Manager – Swifts and Kites

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

The lovely Debbie Haynes invited me to join the club after having coached with her daughter for a while.

Do you have any stand out memories?

The girls are all so lovely and coachable and really appreciative of everything we do 

How did your netball journey begin?

I played for university and played in the DANA league for many years before having 4 knee operations🤕 hoping to get back this year! 

Best netball moment

Captaining my university netball team! 

Fave team

Loughborough Lightning 💜 

Junior Head Coach

Karen leads the coaching frameworks for the club, she oversees the delivery of our Foundation group and takes the lead on our Development session. She is currently focused on growing our Young Volunteers Programme, helping to develop the next generation of coaches and umpires who may one day run the club themselves. 

Team Manager – Swifts and Falcons

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

A long time ago!  Over 20 years ago the previous Head Coach Laura kindly took me under her wing and gave me my first experience of netball coaching.  I volunteered for a season to develop my knowledge of netball for my job as a PE teacher.  My daughter then joined Allestree Netball Club and their team needed a manager to run so Ali and I agreed to help. 

Do you have any stand out memories?

I’ve had so many good memories with the Doves — I adore every single one of them. Watching each player grow in confidence, realising they’re genuinely good at what they do, is the best part for me. I feel most proud when I hear them supporting each other, talking tactics, and showing how much they’ve learned together. 💙

How did your netball journey begin?

I played for the school team and then didn't pick it up until I moved to Derby in 2002.  I played at DANA for many years at WA and GA, leaving for a few years to have children. I then got involved with social netball that I still play now in a GS/GA position.  

My coaching path has been more interesting as I coached (North) Derbyshire County Satellite and Academy squads under the wing of the fabulous Liz Broomhead!

Best netball moment

My proudest moment is being involved with some assistant coaching for the East Midlands squad alongside (on one occasion) Olivia Murphy! For those of you far younger than me, she was an amazing Loughborough player and former England Captain and Coach - I was very excited!

Fave team

Loughborough of course!  

Events Organiser and Assistant Coach to Progression and Perfomance 

Now known for 'glow in the dark netball', Jen is our events organiser and has brilliant ideas for enriching the players experiences at Allestree.  She has wasted no time in researching specialist coaches, netball experience days and so much more.  Because she loves to be busy, Jen is also team managing the Hawks again this year and assists with coaching the youth teams.

Membership and Registration Officer and Foundation Coach

An ENgage and Spond expert, Hayley oversees memberships and registrations, a job that requires much organisation so she's perfect for it.  In addition to this Hayley takes the lead in the Foundation session coaching the FUNdamentals of netball.

Treasurer and Foundation Coach and Development Assistant Coach

Jenny is our committee treasurer and as an extension of this mammoth task,  she has organised a new system for online kit as well as managing the Spond system to make payments quick and hassle free.  Jenny is our Foundation Coach and assists with the development session too so she can coach and prepare our newest fledglings, the Robins.

Team Manager – Robins

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

I started volunteering with the club then went on to do my coaching award. 

Do you have any stand out memories?

I love seeing the camaraderie between our players and seeing them develop as both people and athletes. 

How did your netball journey begin?

I played at school and for Derbyshire then as an adult socially with friends and work teams. 

Best netball moment

Playing with colleagues after a very long break from competitive games in a back to netball league. Never laughed so much in my life! 

Fave team

My team are Loughborough Lightning and I love to follow the Roses too. My fave players are Nat Panagarry, best WD in the game, can dictate mid court like a boss and is a fantastic leader, and Mary Cholhok for that reach and accuracy. 

Fundraising and Sponsorship Lead

Jodie is our newest recruit and she's taken no time to get started on some bids for us has some wonderful ideas to raise money for the club, whilst enriching our players experience.  

Team Manager – Robins

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

My daughter has been a member at Allestree netball club for 3 years and for the last year, proudly representing the club in the Yardley League as part of the Harriers. As a parent of the club I had the opportunity to help support this fantastic team of volunteers as they move into this new, exciting chapter. I’m passionate about keeping children active and seen first hand how incredible it is for them to be part of the team. This role will help me support all the girls and everyone involved to make Allestree netball club take their next steps forward. 

How did your netball journey begin?

I don’t actually play myself however my daughter started playing in year 4 at Willows at a time when confidence was low at school. I’m forever grateful of the confidence it has provided her, along with her making lots of new friends and it gave her a fantastic grounding before starting secondary school as she met so many of the older girls who already attended. Since attending many training sessions and games, I’ve found a love for watching netball too! It’s such an exciting fast paced game! 

Best netball moment

Watching the teams at Allestree compete and seeing how much the training helps them develop as players! 

Fave team

Apart from Allestree, I’d have to say Loughborough Lightning! 

Umpire and Assistant Coach

Kirsty is a talented and experienced umpire who has her C Award and is currently working towards her B.  You will see her supporting the club as a volunteer in a number of our leagues, including DANA and Regional League games.   Without highly qualified officials like Kirsty, we simply could not enter these leagues.

Our newest coaching member of the team, Kirsty is working towards her Level 2 Coaching Award.  She has already made a positive impact on our players in the pre-season training session. 

How did your journey to Allestree NC begin?

I have played in the DANA league since moving to the area in 2022.  After building connections within the netball community and also umpiring the teams in the league, I felt that Allestree would be the right fit.  The former Head Coach certainly drew my attention to the club with their dedication and commitment and this is something to aspire to. 

Do you have any stand out memories?

I am passionate about building a strong and positive club and team culture, where every woman and girl feels empowered to grow and develop their game and most importantly, enjoy playing netball. 

How did your netball journey begin?

I have played netball since the age of 13.  Starting in high school, before moving into county and regional with Cheshire County Netball.  After taking some time out to have my three boys (sadly no netballers!), I returned to play in the Crewe league for Cheshire Stars and then after relocating to Derbyshire in 2022, joined Ashbourne Roses where I currently play in the Monday night DANA league.  I am an avid defender, preferring a GD position, but have become more versatile in my senior years being able to play anywhere on court that does not involve shooting ;) 

Best netball moment

Too many to remember! but simply playing this fantastic sport with team mates that have become lifelong friends.

Fave team

I am a dedicated viewer of the Australian Suncorp Super Netball League - a West Coast Fever fan.  Green army through and through!