Pat Longville is a panel umpire and Secretary for Crosskeys Netball Club. She has played in her local area since 1962 and qualified as an umpire in 1983.

When her former club amalgamated with Crosskeys 10 years ago, Pat helped to set up a very successful Junior Section at the Club.

When this Junior Section started growing in numbers at quite a rate, she suggested that they should try to achieve Clubmark. Pat took on the task of encouraging people to go on appropriate courses, being CRB checked, putting the paperwork together & making sure everything was up to date.

Pat believes that the club's links with schools have definitely helped to increase club membership and also allowed coaches to offer Skills Awards in local schools. Through a YNO Course, the club has also acquired some young volunteers.

She said,

"Having achieved Clubmark, not only have we seen an increase in membership, with young players travelling many miles to train, but we also have a great group of supporters in the children's parents & friends."