HEATHER NOLAN
CHAIRWOMAN & PRESS OFFICER
I have been involved with the Bedford League for too many years for records to go back to – certainly got my 25 years’ service award! Have had the privilege of being your Chairwoman for the past 14 years – seeing many changes – moving to a central venue, creating our junior and youth leagues, and latterly introducing walking netball.
I managed the England U17 squad for a few years too which was a great experience. Played my way through all the Divisions up to premier and umpired as well. Outside of all that fun I love golf and am a Director of Bedford & County golf club, love travelling and drinking the odd glass of gin or wine!
HEATHER
VANESSA GIRVAN
VICE CHAIRWOMAN
Most people know me as Ness (or Fran’s Sister!) . I am currently on the B&DNL Committee as Vice Chair and am part of the COVID and umpiring sub committees. I have been playing in the league since I was 14 years old but I have now hung up my playing shoes (unless someone is desperate of course).
I have also been umpiring for 30 plus years and have recently been assessed and happy to say I am now an umpiring mentor. I have been a member of the committee before and served as Treasurer back in my youth. I have been back on the Committee for two years and hope to continue the good work the B&DNL has done over the many years to keep the sport we love available for all to enjoy.
VANESSA
FRAN SMITH
UMPIRE SECRETARY
Hi, I’m Fran and I am currently on the committee as the Umpiring Lead and Fixtures guru. I have been playing netball in the B&DNL since I was 14 years old (unfortunately over 40 years). In addition to umpiring for over 40 years I am also a Level 2 coach, an umpiring mentor & assessor.
I was first on the committee in my early twenties as Match Secretary and later served my first stint as Umpiring Secretary. After taking a break from the committee whilst bringing up my family I am now back with renewed enthusiasm. My aims are to ensure anyone umpiring or wishing to umpire in the B&DNL gets all the support and help they need to begin or extend their umpiring journey.
FRAN
JACKIE STIGWOOD
TREASURER
I have been a committee member since 2010 and was appointed as Treasurer at the same time as well as a member on the Umpiring Sub-Committee.
Another of my roles is as the Academy Administrator for Bedfordshire Netball Academy.
My main passion is umpiring and as you know I regularly umpire in this league!
Good luck to you all for the forthcoming season!
JACKIE
NATASCHA KELLY
SECRETARY & WEBSITE ADMIN
I joined the B&DNL 4 years ago as the website administrator and now I have taken on the role as league secretary too, for my sins, which has been both challenging and rewarding so far.
In 2014 I signed up to the local Back2Netball sessions and when I couldn’t find a team to join I started my own team, The Majestic’s. We currently play in Bedford, I also play in the Luton League on a Sunday.
NATASCHA
CLAIRE SOUTHAM
JUNIOR/YOUTH LEAGUE
I have been involved with the Bedford league for a long time firstly as a player, then committee member, had a short break from the committee while on the junior sub group, and then returned as Junior and Youth representative.
I have played netball in Bedford since 1980 when I came to University at a variety of levels from local league, county, regional and Centre of Excellence. I now coach at club, County and walking netball, umpire, mentor umpires and tutor England Netball courses. I also sit on East competition TSG and organise the East Region Youth league.
CLAIRE
EMMA SEARS
TOURNAMENT ORGANISER
I joined the B&DNL committee in 2008 (I think but can’t actually find an exact date – I will keep looking). I’ve been playing netball for Ampthill Netball Club since I was 7 years old and have also coached and held umpiring qualifications in the past.
I’m currently one of the Tournament Organisers on the committee and I share the role with my sister, Helen Cuthbert.
EMMA
HELEN CUTHBERT
TOURNAMENT ORGANISER
I joined the committee 10 years ago as a committee member. The last 3 years I have been joint tournament organiser, running the charity tournament and summer league with Emma.
I have been an umpire in the Bedford league since 2006 and playing in the adult league for Ampthill since 2001.
HELEN
RACHAEL STOCKER
COMMITTEE MEMBER
I am a newcomer to the Bedford & District Netball League committee joining on September 2021. I am looking forward to the season as part of a great team.
I have a passion for netball & have been playing for over 20 years & umpiring for 2 years. In the future I would like to become a coach.
RACHAEL
ANGELA BEATTIE
COMMITTEE MEMBER
My name is Angela and I have been involved in netball for over 20 years as a player, team captain, umpire, mentor and tester and committee member. I love watching the Superleague, getting to as many Saracens Mavericks games as possible and supporting England when they play on home soil.
This is my first year as a Bedford committee member but I have spent many years supporting another league within the county as umpiring secretary and vice chair.
I’m excited to support the Bedford and district league committee, particularly the umpiring sub committee and I am sure we will have a successful season supporting teams, players and umpires throughout the district.
ANGELA
BEV NEWTON
COMMITTEE MEMBER
I’m one of the newest committee members joining this year. Netball is Like for all of us, my life, my passion and am looking forward to supporting this committed team in the coming year.
I’ve been playing netball for as long as I can remember (many, many years!!!) and am proud to say have never missed a season. I have played in Bedford and Luton leagues for 20 years and before that in my hometown Hull. Hoping to start my umpiring and coaching journey soon before I hang up my playing shoes (not looking forward to that much!).
BEV
JULIE BASSETT
COMMITTEE MEMBER
I’ve played netball in the Bedford League for about 37 years, and umpired for about 34 years. I also used to coach the Junior & Youth teams at Westoning Netball Club.
I’ve been on the League committee for about 4 years and I am also the Schools Representative on the County Committee.
JULIE
LUCY TUTTLE
COMMITTEE MEMBER
I am a newcomer on the Bedford & District Netball League committee having just joined, but I’m looking forward to supporting and being part of such an excellent committee. Having been a member of the league for 6 years now it will be nice to give something back too!
I am a recently qualified umpire and have seen for myself the hard work that goes into arranging training sessions and assessments, I can’t wait to hit the ground running!