Rejoicing in Ripon: Awards night celebrates netball as an intergenerational game

The inclusive and intergenerational spirit of Ripon City Netball Club shone brightly at their annual presentation evening on Friday ✨.

A single photograph captured the essence of the club: grandmother Mandy Royle, her granddaughter Gracie Harman, and mother–daughter duo Michelle and Kiera Ingham — generations apart, yet united on court and off. Fittingly for a club whose teams are named Ospreys, Kestrels and Falcons, they are very much birds of a feather 🦅.

Club chair Michelle told teammates gathered at The Claro Lounge:
“When I was looking for somewhere for Kiera to play and develop her skills, Helen (Mackenzie) said, ‘send her to my club – and come along yourself to play.’ So I did, and it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made.” 💙

Trophies were presented by Tony and Mandie Rushton of TMR Foods, long‑standing supporters of the club 🤝.

🏅 Award Winners

  • Best newcomer: Molly Magee
  • Going the extra mile: Mel Wilcock
  • Outstanding effort & attitude: Kate Towler
  • Per Ardua Ad Astra award: Ellie Makin
  • Resilience rosebowl: Erin White

🌟 Team Awards

Kelly Clough, Gracie Tucker, Nellie Mortimer, Lauren Arksey, Emily Wilson, Ellie Adams, Rosie Powley, Kiera Ingham and Anna Capps.

The night’s top honour — the Sylvia Grice MBE Award for Integrity — was met with rousing applause as it was presented to Ellie Adams 👏.

Club founder Helen Mackenzie, who established Ripon City Netball Club in 2014, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:

“Integrity and inclusivity are among the foundation stones upon which the club has been built. It started as an initiative designed to provide girls and women of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to take part in the sport and the inter-generational social interaction that comes with it. Everything that we have achieved both on and off the court comes because we have always followed those principles.”

Pictured from the left are: Gracie Harman, her grandmother Mandy Royle, Michelle Ingham and her daughter Kiera

Club founder and player Helen Mackenzie

Sponsors Tony and Mandie Rushton of TMR Foods.

Ellie Adams (centre) with the Sylvia Grice MBE integrity award Helen Mackenzie (left) and Michelle Ingham