WHAT a glittering night at plush Galgorm Resort and Spa in Co Antrim as Netball NI staged their 2025 Awards Celebration.
The strength of the sport was reflected in the attendance as players, past and present, officials, sponsors and guests packed the banqueting room.
Among them were chief guest, Munich 1972 Olympic gold medal winner, Lady Mary Peters, and NI internationals Niamh Cooper and Michelle Magee who engaged in an entertaining and informative Q&A on stage with host Nicola McCarthy of BBC Sport NI and a Netball NI board member.
Winners on the night were:
Primary School Coach of the Year: Emma McDonald (Tannaghmore PS, Lurgan)
Secondary School Coach of the Year: Laura Lovett (St. Dominic’s, Belfast)
Club Coach of the Year: Debbie Bleakley (Belfast Ladies)
Performance Pathway Coach of the Year: Jenny Clayton (U17 National Head Cocah)
Erin Thompson Award for the Most Promising Youth Player: Anna McGarry (Crumlin Netball Club/Dominican College, Belfast)
Official of the Year: Laura Lovett
Volunteer of the Year: Denise Fennell (Laganside Netball Club)
Young International Player of the Year: Orla McGeogh (U21 National team)
Senior International Player of the Year: Fionnuala Toner
Club of the Year: Holywood Netball Club
Team of the Year: Crumlin U19s
Hall of Fame: Maureen Mawhinney and Fiona Delargy
PICTURES BY STEPHEN HAMILTON
Hall of Fame inductee Maureen Mawhinney (centre)
Hall of Fame inductees Fiona Delargy (left) and Maureen Mawhinney
A bouquet for chief guest Lady Mary Peters from Netball NI Chief Executive Karen Rollo-Stewart
