The Jack Petchey Foundation realises that lots of the great work, projects and schemes that young people are able to access and participate in, would simply not be possible without the support of their adult leaders and therefore created the Leader Award – a chance for young people themselves to recognise their leaders, the ones that inspire and support them – and say thank you.

Hillcrest Leaders

Clare Nicholls
2009

Reason for award: Clare won the award for her dedication to the Juniors. She is passionate about helping players and seeing them improve. Clare was also awarded a small grant of £500 which she chose to spend on better fencing for the new court.

Sandie Richardson
2014

Reason for award: Sandie is amazing with all young people. She encourages, motivates and gets the best out of all the girls. The girls look up to her and respect her. She always goes the extra mile in supporting the girls and the club. She is passionate, honest and fair.

Anna Harris
2015

Reason for award: Anna has been a member of Hillcrest since she was a Junior herself and has been a positive influence over our younger members as she developed into a senior player. Due to injury she was told she could no longer play netball, and turned her love for the sport from playing into coaching. Anna has given Hillcrest everything she could possibly give to improve her coaching and the development of every player at any ability. Despite having two children in the process of developing her coaching skills she has made it to nearly every training session or match (even at 9 months pregnant) to offer support and advice, particularly to our younger members. Anna endlessly watches YouTube Videos of the latest training crazes and practises her ideas with the top squad. She is a great advocate for the Club's development, always looking out for courses, new ideas and new equipment to help our training session. She listens to every individual, regardless if their young, old, skilful or a new starter to engage what they want in a training session and implements in the following sessions. The 2014/2015 season was testament to her great coaching, as 3 of our Under 25's made the England Indoor Netball team, and a under 16 made the England Regional squad (a young pathway into England Netball). As a club our first and second squad has usually consisted of non-teenagers, however with Anna's great coaching we are seeing more youngsters have the confidence and flourish with their elder peers and out shine. As a club Hillcrest's under 25 section has improved dramatically and this would not have happened without Anna.

Debbie May
2017
Reason for award: Debbie has been an asset to Hillcrest for over 10 years. She has taken on vital unpaid roles within the club despite not playing or having a daughter at Hillcrest. Debbie has worked with our Juniors section and has coached, umpired, team managed and supported our girls to some great victories. She is a friendly face and someone easy to talk to. Our club thrives because of people like her.

Jack Petchey Leader Awards