SANDRA Price has netted her best success yet after being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
The 71-year-old is a longstanding member of Copsewood Diamonds Netball Club in Binley and has been awarded an MBE for services to netball in the city.
Sandra has volunteered more than 55 years to the sport, having joined Copsewood as a player at the age of 14.
During her own playing time, Sandra competed at local, county and regional level as well as being selected for the ‘Rest of the World’ team to play against England.
She has also enjoyed a prolific coaching and umpiring career, officiating at county level as well helping to develop an army of umpires in her role as an England Netball umpire tutor and assessor.
She has been an active coach throughout the county, working with both junior and senior players as well as dedicating more of her time as county manager and an England senior team manager.
“We are in no doubt that without Sandra’s endless years of dedication, the club would simply not exist,” said Siobhan Ashby, of Copeswood Diamonds Netball Club.
“Sandra has been an immense help to all the netballers, on and off the court. She has been like a second mother to many players, past and present. Sometimes we use the phrase ‘legend’ lightly but at Copsewood we think she is.”
Sandra has also spent many years as an active member of the county and Coventry and Warwickshire Netball Association League committees.
She is still Copsewood fixture secretary and despite illness also volunteers for four days a week at Atrium Health cardio pulmonary rehab centre in Coventry.
Tracy Murphy, chair of Warwickshire County Netball Association and partnership manager at CSW Sport, added: “Sandra is an unsung hero in the true sense of the word, as she goes about her business quietly but effectively and is always as fair and helpful as she can be.
“She was recognised as CSW Sport’s unsung hero at our 2013 awards ceremony and it is fantastic to see her talent and dedication recognised nationally as we prepare to launch our award nominations for this year.”
