Ripon City Netball Club’s Falcons, Kestrels, Ospreys Eagles and Hawks, flocked together for their social highlight of the year — the annual awards.
More than 40 members from the teams, which are each named after birds of prey, gathered at Ripon Bowling Club on Saturday for a sparkling evening of prize presentations, congratulations and celebration of the 2021-2022 season.
The event was compered by the club’s head coach, Helen Mackenzie who, at Christmas, received her own accolade from former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration when the votes of readers of the Stray Ferret saw her win the Harry’s Heroes community award.

Thandi Mahlangu, winner of the players’ player award for the Eagles, received her award from Alastair Little of Biffa.
The club, which was formed seven years ago, is based at Ripon Grammar School and has teams playing in the Harrogate, Hambleton and the North Yorkshire Ambassador leagues.
Its focus, since formation, has been on inclusivity, providing the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to join in both sporting and social activities.

Club member Jackie Laugher (left) mother of GB diving star and triple Olympic medal winner Jack, presented Helen Mackenzie with gifts on behalf of the club.
Ms Mackenzie said:
“The aim since we set off has been to create a club based on three words – participate, enjoy, succeed.
“We are inclusive, welcoming all-comers.
“This sees mothers play alongside their daughters and siblings enjoying training and playing together.”

The trophies that were presented.
The award recipients
Presentations were made by Alastair Little, Yorkshire regional general manager of waste management and recycling company Biffa, one of the club’s sponsors.
For each team, trophies were awarded to the most improved player, the coach’s selected player and the players’ player.
The award winners were:
Falcons: Steph Parker, Jo Wallace, Helen Peacock
Kestrels: Suzanne Armstrong, Jen Addyman, Alice Scurr
Ospreys: Lindsey Stockdale, Karen Ellam, Becky Ash
Eagles: Lesley Watkinson, Cat Walmsley, Thandi Mahlangu
Hawks: Rachel Cattley, Karen Dodds, Laura Cardin
Winners of other club awards were: Nicole Greenwood, Nicola Lymer, Michelle Ingham, Kirsteen Dixon, Anne Groves, Beth Beadle and Hayley Blaymires.
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Many happy returners at Ripon City Netball Club
It was time for many happy returns at Ripon City Netball Club this week.
The spontaneous singing of ‘Happy Birthday to You’, signalled the arrival on court of Jackie Laugher.
For the mother of Olympic gold medal winning diver Jack, it was the sporting icing on the cake.
On a sunlit evening, she met with team mates she hadn’t seen face-to-face for seven months.
Jackie told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s lovely to be back among friends.”

Families and friends – Helen and Amy Mackenzie (left) are pictured with, from left: Jackie Laugher, Lindsi Baldwin and her sister Kirsteen Dixon
Jack, who won his diving gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had rung his mother earlier to wish her a happy birthday.
She said:
“He is always encouraging me and was pleased to hear I was heading out for netball training and keeping myself fit.”
For Jack, the road to Olympic gold started at Ripon’s Spa Baths where he was taught to swim by Sylvia Grice.
His sporting prowess was developed further at Ripon Grammar School, where he was taught by Sylvia’s daughter and PE teacher Helen Mackenzie.
The connection between the families continues, as Helen is head coach at Ripon City Netball Club, where her daughter Amy is a rising star.
She said:
“The aim since we set off seven years ago has been to create a club based on three words – participate, enjoy, succeed.
“We are inclusive, welcoming all-comers.
“This sees mothers alongside their daughters and siblings enjoying training and playing together.”
Club secretary Kirsteen Dixon who was present with her sister Lindsi Baldwin, said:
“These times are so special, it’s like turning the clock back to school days, when we first learnt to play netball.
“Many lasting friendships developed from this.
“The social aspect is as important as the sporting activity.”
Covid lockdown saw the suspension of netball in September.
Ripon City, which plays in the Hambleton, Harrogate, York and North Yorkshire Ambassadors leagues is now preparing for games later this year.
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With teams named after birds of prey – Falcons, Kestrels, Ospreys, Eagles and Hawks – it’s time to spread their wings once more.
As lockdown lifts further, many more will be flocking back to their Ripon Grammar School base.
Ripon netball awards go ahead despite covidRipon City Netball Club has held a socially distanced version of its annual awards due to covid.
The awards are the biggest event on the club’s calendar, but this year only award winners were invited to attend the presentation outside Ripon Grammar School, where the club trains.

Some of the award winners.
The club has five teams, each named after a different bird of prey, with three trophies given out per team for most improved player, coach’s player and players’ player.
The 2020 award winners were;
Hawks: Kerry Rich, Lindsey Stockdale, Karen Dodds.
Eagles: Carla Darbyshire, Thandiwe Mahlangu, Becky Stacey.
Ospreys: Rebecca Kirby, Claire Barnett, Jenny Addyman.
Kestrels: Kimberley Adele, Joanna Wallace, Hayley Blaymires.
Falcons: Frankie Louise, Sarah-Louise Norton, Jenna Sadler.
Other winners of individual prizes were: Lindsi Baldwin, Kirsteen Dixon, Helen Mackenzie, Georgina Roberts, Samantha Wilson, Karen Ellam, Cathy Simms, Jackie Laugher, Lindsey Virr, Rachael Clark, Suzanne Armstrong, Nicola Lymer, Louise Withy, Becky Ash and Tracy Chapman.