CWMBRAN Youth Netball Club will be in the running for a handful of prizes when the annual South Wales Argus Sports Awards take place next week, and head coach Vicki Randall is hoping that recognition can help boost her sport’s profile across the county.

While Randall herself is a finalist in the outstanding services to sport in Gwent category, mother and daughter duo Sharon and Georgina Ahern are contenders for the volunteer of the year and junior coach of the year gongs respectively.

On top of that, the club is also in contention to pick up the community club of the year award and junior team of the year accolade.

This year’s awards are being shown via a special online broadcast on the South Wales Argus Facebook page next Thursday, starting at 7pm.

“To see our club recognised in the community is really something big for us,” said Randall, who was also a finalist in her category last year.

“This year has been difficult for everyone in community sport, but our volunteers have kept at it and ensured all our players stayed engaged and got back to training via online skills, drills and challenges, as well as face-to-face since our return.

“The club is run solely by volunteers with only three adults who are all teachers by day – the other volunteers are under 18 and still studying in school or university.

“The number of youngsters always willing to give up their evenings to ensure the sessions run well at our club just shows the enjoyment they get out of it.

“They’ve seen first-hand as players how important the volunteers are and how it’s benefited them as players and people over the years and they’re always willing to give back."

South Wales Argus:

She added: “We are extremely proud of everyone who represents the club as players, coaches and volunteers.

“To get the recognition with so many finalists in the South Wales Argus Sports Awards is testament to everyone’s hard work at the club.

“Our aim is to deliver a positive experience in netball, an experience so good that it keeps these players playing well past youth level, something that keeps our youngsters wanting to get involved and give something back to the club.

“We are particularly pleased to see our club recognised, all our volunteers should be proud of what they achieve weekly.

“With so many players from the local communities, hopefully this recognition will lift the profile of netball in our area and show what a positive impact it has on so many children.”

The club delivers netball to nearly 300 children a week, with members ranging from one year old in the tots group up to the age of 16.

Although based in Torfaen, the club, which fielded 14 teams last season, has a wide range of players from Newport, Caerleon, Bassaleg, Monmouth and Usk.

Commenting on the two other individual finalists, Randall said: “Georgina started her coaching around age 12, helping at sessions with warm-ups and drills.

“She’s now 14 and takes the lead in sessions with ease. She’s confident and the players totally respect her when she delivers training.

“Not many teenagers willingly give up three nights a week to deliver sport voluntarily.

“Her mum Sharon is heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the club too, and it’s great to see them able to do something they enjoy as a family.”