A YOUNG netball player from County Durham has netted £500 funding for her team.
Consett-based Greencroft Netball Club was named this year’s North East winner of Miller Homes’ annual Summer of Sport competition after a heartfelt nomination written by one of the team’s rising stars.
The leading housebuilder asked sports clubs across the region to say in no more than 200 words why they deserved to win the funding. Rose Biggs, 12, goal shooter and keeper for the club, entered by detailing her passion for the sport and her vision of how the whole team could benefit from winning the prize.
After a fierce toss-up from other entrants, the netballers captured the prize and will now use the money to fund vital equipment and additional uniforms.
Rose said: “When I heard about the Miller Homes Summer of Sport competition I knew how important winning the money would be to the club.
“I wrote the nomination describing our team’s successes and how we would use the money, but I never imagined that my entry would win. When we received the letter to say we had won I couldn’t wait to tell the other girls the news. I’m very grateful to Miller Homes for giving us this opportunity.”
Andrew Somerville, Miller Homes North East’s regional sales manager, added: “Through our annual Summer of Sports competition, we are able to help enhance and develop the abilities of community clubs in local areas, and recognise the young sporting talent that exists within the region.
“We are proud to support Greencroft Netball Club, and look forward to seeing how they will continue to nurture young talent like Rose within the community.”
Double Commonwealth champion swimmer and guest judge of this year’s competition, Chris Cook added: “Miller Homes’ Summer of Sport competition is an incredible way to support local teams by providing essential funding for projects many would never otherwise be able to afford. It was a difficult decision with so many great entries but Greencroft Netball Club truly deserved to take home the prize.”
Operating across Consett and North Durham, Greencroft Netball Club was established in 1984 and now has 10 teams playing across seniors, mixed league and juniors. 2014 has seen the club nominated for five awards and named as ‘Club of the Year’ by the Leisureworks Activity Awards, while its chair received the title of ‘Unsung Hero’ from All England Netball North East and was a nominee for the national awards.
Linda Tyman, chair of Greencroft Netball Club, said: “We had no idea we had even been put forward for this prize so it was a wonderful surprise. We would like to thank Miller Homes North East for helping clubs in the community to realise their potential and Rose for taking the time to nominate the club, we are immensely proud of her for winning this prize.
“Netball is very much a team sport and for Rose to think of entering a competition like this to benefit her teammates is truly awe-inspiring.”
Miller Homes currently has 10 developments located across the North East of England, including The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, St Mary’s Green and Acklam Woods both in Acklam, Kingsmoor in Stockton, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar, Bishops Parkand Park View both in Gateshead, Greenvale Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval and Wensleydale Park in Blyth.
For more information on Miller Homes and its North East developments contact the leading housebuilder on 0808 250 6426 or visitwww.millerhomes.co.uk/Locations/North-East-of-England.