AU Club of the Year 09/10

On the evening of Saturday 8th May, the University of Portsmouth Netball Club arrived at Guildhall at 6.30pm sharp (well by the time we’d finished topping up our fake tan it was more like 7.15pm) in our brand new, far too expensive dresses, for the Annual AU Dinner.

Committee, captains, old girls and fresher’s turned out in their masses, to mingle with the other AU Club’s for a night of food, alcohol, awards and lots of tears! Within seconds of taking to the table, the Netballers began a game of ‘I Have Never’ which our Coach, Judy, seemed to have finally got the hang of until she came out with, ‘I have never had sex in the sea’ …no one drank. Nice touch Jud’s! Following this came many Fresher challenges, and much fun-filled banter. Once dinner was cleared away Elaina Sperring, and a rather drunk Paul Tilley, took to the stage for the much anticipated awards!

First came the Full Colours Awards, which myself and Club President Gaby Johnson were awarded, followed by half-colours, which Kathryn Fitter, Jordan Sapsed-Byrne and Niki Wakefield were all proudly awarded! We were all eagerly awaiting the final and most prestigious award of the night ‘Club of the Year’, last year UPNC came a respectable 2nd place, but after the Committees hard work and the improvement of the Club over the last year we really believed this could be our year, and we truly deserved it.

First announced was 3rd Place, which went to Surf Club, followed by, last year’s winners Boxing in 2nd Place. We all joined hands, and crossed our fingers, toes and everything else, whilst we waited for the results, it was all or nothing. And 1st Place goes to, was followed by a pause, which seemed to last an eternity…’The Netball Club’ we all jumped up, hugging each other and screaming. We were elated, we only had seconds to dry our happy tears before Gaby pulled me up onto the Stage with her, followed by the rest of the committee and our fabulous Coach, Judy Yoxall. Within seconds, the rest of the Club joined us on stage to celebrate with our wonderful Trophy Cup! Paul Tilley began the awards saying that this year was the ‘Year of the Women’, and the UPNC certainly ended them this way, and we couldn’t be happier!