League stalwart recognised

Netball

The efforts of Kim Crouch have been recognised at Kent Netball’s annual meeting. Crouch, chair of the Ashford Netball Youth League since 2005, received the Needham Rider Salver for services to youth netball in the county. The league runs on a Friday during the summer. It was originally founded in 1997 by Sally Baldock to accommodate all under-18s. However, over the years, interest in the borough from secondary school pupils dwindled so much that the league had to limit itself to High Five a few years ago. A regular selection of primary schools have entered and it is now a lively and popular competition. In 2017-18, there were 19 teams taking part and Kim had a couple of key teachers who supported her. She has held the league together through some difficult times, doing all the paperwork and organising the end-of-season presentations as well. She has volunteered with the senior league’s pay-and-play sessions since 2007.