About us

• U9
• Lead Coach / Level 3

I have over 40 years of coaching experience as a level 3 coach, I have worked with U15 Manchester Thunder and Cheshire U13s.

I played for the North of England, Northwest and South Yorkshire, Cheshire and Merseyside Counties.

• U10
• Lead Coach / Level 2

I first played netball at secondary school and quickly fell in love with the sport, I have continued to play since and still play most weeks. I have made so many friends for life through netball and enjoy being a part of the netball community.

Having a daughter, I want to share my love for the game with her and her teammates and as a coach I am enjoying seeing them progress week on week and that same passion develop. It is so fulfilling seeing them enjoying the game and how happy it makes them!

• U10
• Level 1

As a sports enthusiast, I have played and enjoyed sports including netball since my school days. As a mother of two daughters, I have been keen to get them both into a team sport as I believe it’s a great way not only to be fit and healthy, it also facilitates friendships and encourages children to think of others and work together as a team.

My coaching career started 4 years ago when I began helping the lead coach with the u17s. I was inspired so much so that I decided I would like to learn more about coaching in a formal capacity and having both daughters involved I was able to support a team with their development. I obtained my level one coaching qualification three years ago and I have been coaching my own team for 2 years now.

I am enjoying watching the girls grow as a team on and off the court. Northwich Sapphires is a great family for myself and my team to be a part of.

• U11
• Lead Coach / Level 2
• Chairperson
• C Award Umpire

My passion for netball started at primary school and I’m still playing now! I’m a founding member of Northwich Sapphires and have been involved in playing and coaching for over 20 years.

As a PE teacher, I’m passionate about the benefits of team sport and love seeing our club grow—now including a mixed league to involve even more of the community. With my three daughters now part of the club, I’m proud to continue coaching the U11’s and supporting this fantastic netball family.

• U11
• Lead coach / Level 2

I have been a PE teacher for 25 years and am passionate about inspiring young people to enjoy and develop a love of sport. I played Netball at school and college and then went on to play for a local senior team.

My Netball journey at Northwich Sapphires started in 2019 when my daughter started at mini nets. I currently coach the U11 squad alongside a great team of other coaches.

I feel privileged to be a part of the Sapphires family and love seeing the girls progress and build friendships.

• U11
• Assistant Coach

My love for netball began in primary school and has remained with me ever since! I played throughout my youth, representing several clubs and Cheshire County across several seasons.

When my daughter started mini nets and the opportunity arose to get back involved and join the amazing Sapphires family, I jumped at the chance, completed my level 1 coaching course and have assisted in the coaching of the current U11s since they started as U9’s.

I love being involved in all aspects of netball and love to take my daughter to watch the England Roses and Manchester Thunder games as much as we can.

• U12
• Lead Coach / Level 2

My passion for Netball first began at Primary School, and since then I have played Netball at a variety of levels and achieved a Level 1 in coaching. I joined the club in 2008, playing as a member of the senior squad.

Now that I have 2 young daughters, I would like to share my passion and introduce them to this great sport. After supporting mini nets, I am now taking on the U9 squad. I am looking forward to coaching the team and seeing the girls grow and love the sport as I do.

• U13
• Coach / Level 2
• Volunteer Co-ordinator

I joined Northwich Sapphires at the age of 10 and have played competitively ever since. When I was younger, I started to help out at different training sessions to build my confidence and develop my coaching skills. Then I went for my level 1 coaching award and achieved this.

I then left to go to Lancaster University, where I continued to play and coach all 3 university teams.

After university, I rejoined Northwich Sapphires and continued to help coach. I am now going for my level 2 coaching award with the hope of qualifying at the end of autumn. I am looking forward to using my own experience of playing and putting into practice everything I have learnt so far.

• U13
• Coach / Level 1

Both of my daughters play for the club, which got me involved.

I started playing in the mixed league, then after that offered to help out at training with my daughters team, and I am now part of the coaching squad.

• Head Coach
• Lead Coach / Level 2
• C Award Umpire

I have coached netball for 20+ years, and love to see the girls develop into netballers. I enjoy coaching their skills and watching their progress.

I really like the engagement and rapport that you get with players. It’s hugely rewarding and I am proud to be a part of Northwich Sapphires, a club that's extremely supportive to coaches and players.

Accolades include North-West Netball Volunteer Award - Silver.

• U14
• Lead Coach / Level 2

I loved all ‘team’ sports from an early age. I played basketball at County/ North West and North of England levels and trialled for England at Lilleshall National Sports.

I played in the Manchester ladies league until my mid-20’s before I moved down South and had to leave. When I returned back up North I joined a netball team and played in the Bury league.

When we moved to Cheshire my daughter joined Northwich Sapphires and I volunteered to coach to give something back to the sport.

I absolutely love being part of the ‘Sapphires family’ and adore seeing the girls progress and their love for netball. I still play netball for a local Netball Club.

• U15
• Lead Coach / Level 2
• Marketing Officer

I have played netball since the age of 7, I started with my Primary School team, then played in Secondary School and at university.

I co-founded a club in South Cheshire and previously played in the Cheshire Elite league, as well as the Crewe League for many years, and continue to play now. A highlight was having a team member who also played for Eng U21s and Manchester Thunder in our grassroots team.

I am also a proud parent, having watched my daughter play for the club, I decided I should get more involved and have never looked back. I love helping the girls I coach to achieve success, coaching them new skills is personally very fulfilling. Nothing better than seeing a smile on their faces!

• U15
• Lead Coach / Level 2

I joined the club at age 11 as a player. I loved being part of the club and wanted to do more, so became and assistant coach at age 14. I fell in love with coaching and went to coach my own teams at the club.

I have since gone to university and gained a degree in coaching, and a masters in sport and mental health. I now coach the U15 team and look forward to many more years with Sapphires.

• U15
• Coach / Level 1

I have played netball since Primary school, and it has brought me fitness, friends, skills and fun. I played at university for a local team and made lifelong friends.

I want to share my passion for netball with the younger generation and encourage them to challenge themselves and keep healthy.

• U16
• Lead Coach / Level 2

Since an early age my passion for netball just grew. I have played at a variety of levels over the years starting with Bury and Manchester County / North West in my youth, to university years in Loughborough.

I have loved playing various local leagues ever since, these teams have provided invaluable experience that I am able to move over into coaching. Never imagined I would get into coaching but my daughter joined Northwich Sapphires junior team and the passion continues and I love the game even more now!

• U16
• Coach / Level 2

I have been an assistant coach for several years. Completing my level one coaching in 2019 and in the process of completing my level two this year.

I absolutely love the sport from watching, playing and coaching. The netball community has always provided a safe social environment for all ages and abilities which makes it a great family to be a part of.

Coaching for me is about seeing the children learn and grow in confidence. Providing them with the tools and self-belief to go and have a go and gain a sense of achievement within the team is why I love to coach and why I love the sport.

• Junior Secretary
• Level 2 Coach / C Level Umpire

Proud parent and player. I’ve played and loved netball since primary school and still play every week. I am a secondary PE teacher coaching school teams for 20 years.

Northwich Sapphires has been great for both my daughters and I felt it was time for me to put something back into the club. I love seeing the young players develop and enjoy netball just as I have done.

• Safeguarding Officer
• Level 2 Coach / Assistant Coach U9

My passion for netball started when I went to secondary school. As it was a Convent Grammar there were no fields and so the main sport was netball! I instantly loved the game and enjoyed the friendship groups it helped create. Over forty years later, I still play on a regular basis in the mixed netball league.

I became involved with Northwich Sapphires in 2008 when my daughter joined. Not being one to sit and watch, I began to help and soon became a level 2 coach.

I love to see how in time each girl grows and develops. Whilst I give up my time for the club, Northwich Sapphires has given me back much more. It is a wonderful club and feels like one big happy family!

• Coach / Level 2
• Fundraising & Events

I have loved netball since primary school. I still play now for a local team. It really is a sport for life.

I also like watching netball and supporting Manchester Thunder! One of my favourite netball moments was when I took part in the 2019 Netball World cup as a Pivoteer, this was a fantastic experience.

Becoming a coach for Northwich Sapphires has given me a brilliant opportunity to share my passion for the sport and help the young players starting out.

I love going to games and seeing their development through the season.

• Leads Nice ‘n’ Easy sessions
• Club President
• Level 2

Jan is our Club President and a founding member of Northwich Sapphires NC.

Jan helped to establish the new Northwich Sapphires Netball Club in 2003 and as the first chairperson, oversaw the development of the senior and junior sections. Jan has coached every age group in our club from Under 8s to seniors, taking the senior team to and winning the regional finals in 2010.

Alongside her work with the club, Jan has been heavily involved in England Netball coaching programmes. She was a coach on the England Netball Home training programme for national players, an England Netball talent scout and was lead coach at regional talent camps.

Jan currently coaches the club’s “Nice’n’Easy” sessions for players but also supports the development of our club coaches, through mentoring and guiding those who are working towards their qualifications. Her coaching aim is simple - to help people to be the best they can be.