New sports courts honour local netball legend
A netball coach has said she feels “humbled” and “staggered” that a new community sports facility has been named after her.
Val Kennedy was a member of Haxby Netball Club for more than four decades, and has helped generations of women and girls to get involved in the sport.
Along with Haxby Runners, Haxby Town FC and Haxby Town JFC, the netball team will benefit from a modern accessible multi-sport facility at Ethel Ward Playing Fields, which will help people of all ages to get active.
The clubs worked with local businesses, volunteers, Haxby Town Council and funding partners to transform what were deteriorating netball courts into a safe and accessible facility.
Kennedy has been at the heart of Haxby Netball Club since it was set up in 1980.
She was the chair until 2022, and also mentored many netball umpires across York, helping them gain their England Netball qualifications.
However, she was first introduced to the sport at school when she was 10 years old.
“I fell in love with it then and it’s been with me forever,” she said.
“Years later, about six or seven of us got together while taking our children to school.
“In the playground there was a netball court, and we were chatting to each other saying, I used to play netball at school, let’s form a club. So we did.”
The official opening of the Val Kennedy Courts on Saturday celebrated her work.
“I’m just happy to pass on the passion that I had,” Kennedy said.
“To give somebody the pleasure of being in a team – it teaches people how to win, how to lose, how to become teammates.”
Marion Willis, the current Haxby Netball Club chair, said: “It’s a really exciting time for Haxby Netball Club.
“The courts have been at the heart of the club since 1980, and giving them a new lease of life means they can continue to serve future generations.
“Val has spent more than 40 years helping women and girls discover and enjoy netball in Haxby and across York.
“Naming the courts after Val celebrates that contribution and helps carry that legacy forward.”
Ruth Pearson, chair of Haxby Town Council, added: “The Val Kennedy Courts represent far more than a sports facility.
“They demonstrate what can be achieved when a community works together.
“We are delighted to celebrate the completion of this first phase and the tremendous efforts of everyone who helped make it happen.”
The courts were officially opened by York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, who said: “These courts are now secure for future generations of people who want to play, not just netball but football, and so many other sports here.”
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