Emma is British & Swiss and is a German patent translator, working for WIPO in Geneva since 2001. Emma has a BA(Hons) degree in Sport and German. She is very passionate about helping women & girls realise what they can achieve through sport with support, guidance & encouragement. Emma has been on the Swiss Netball Committee since day one, as Treasurer, Team Manager & President of Swiss Netball. She is a founder of LCV Netball Club & Treasurer at GIN.
About Swiss Netball
Swiss Netball is
the governing body for Netball in Switzerland, we are a full member of Netball Europe (NE) and the International Netball Federation (INF).
Formed in 2009, the Association, organised by volunteers, has been paramount in supporting the development of this fast, fun and feminine sport across Switzerland. The U17 Team have won the Netball Europe Challenge Cup in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2019, and are now promoted to the Netball Europe Championship Cup Division for 2020.
The National Open Team first obtained a world ranking in 2012 and has climbed as high as 28th in the world.
Swiss Netball is governed by its Statutes and Articles 60 to 79 of the Swiss Civil Code.
OUR VISION
Empowering Women through Netball
Playing sport is a great source of empowerment and skills development for girls and women. Netball has over 20 million participants world wide.
OUR MISSION
To maximise awareness and participation of Netball in Switzerland
#THISISNETBALL
#CESTNETBALL
#DASISCHNETBALL
Provide a supportive, competitive, safe arena for players to develop
Maintain and protect the interests of the game and work for improved Netball facilities in Switzerland
Promote and encourage Netball in schools and communities throughout Switzerland
Assist in the development of new and existing clubs in Switzerland.| Block type |
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- Committee
- Development and Performance Team
SWISS NETBALL COMMITTEE
The Swiss Netball Committee is responsible for managing the affairs of the association which include determining strategic direction, goals and policies. The committee is a dynamic team with a passion for all things Netball, and the belief that team sport for women and girls can provide positive life changing outcomes through the development of leadership and teamwork skills. Our committee team brings a wide range of professional skills and experience and give our time on a 100% voluntary basis. If you would like to join our committee please get in touch at admin@swissnetball.ch see VolunteerSWISS DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE TEAM
The Swiss Netball Performance and Development Team is responsible for delivering development initiatives across Switzerland to grow our grassroots Netball programs. Our performance team leads our National Squads and National Coaching initiatives alongside our incredible volunteers in educator roles delivering programs that improve the standard of umpiring and bench officiating to raise the standard of our game. A dynamic team with a passion for all things Netball, and the belief that team sport for women and girls can provide positive life changing outcomes through the development of leadership and teamwork skills. Our development and performance team give their experience and time on a 100% voluntary basis. If you would like to join our D & P Team please get in touch at admin@swissnetball.ch see Volunteer
President & National Squads
Emma Connolly
Officiating & Vice President
Carol D`Alberti
Londoner Carol moved to Switzerland in 2004. A chance meeting in 2016 re-ignited her passion for netball & she now coaches U15’s at CDL International School & plays for Aubonne & Nyon clubs. She passed the C Award Umpire’s badge in June 2018, she just loves everything to do with Umpiring! Her proudest achievement was finally becoming a mum when her daughter was born in 2007. Married to an understanding husband, she is kept happily busy coaching and umpiring.
Governance.
Silvio Martinelli
Silvio Martinelli, a global Italian, has been in Geneva since 2007 working for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, & Malaria and he is a member of the international executive committee of Service Civil International, a global peace movement. Silvio is the proud father of Iris, a Swiss U17 national squad athlete. Silvio is a passionate cyclist, & loves most sport. An enthusiastic Netball supporter, he live-streamed the U17 European Championship last year in Wales.
Communications
Lauren Hoare
Originally from the UK, Lauren moved to Zürich in early 2021 and quickly became a member of Zürich Netball later that year. Lauren has always enjoyed playing netball, playing since high school in the UK. She is passionate about the positive impact netball can bring to people, especially celebrating women and the community culture it brings. She has a degree in Psychology and Masters in Neuroscience, but has always had a passion for people, learning and technology and so is very excited to be a member of the committee. Lauren will be supported by Amy Porter from Nyon Netball.
Development & Member Liasion
Jeremy De Friend
Jeremy De Friend is passionate about sport. Playing club football, martial arts & street dance. He studied sport sciences and practice at the University of Neuchâtel where he studied major sports, sport mechanics & fitness training. On graduating, he continued study in sport management at Birkbeck, University of London. The focus of his final academic research is sport for development. Jeremy is Jeunesse + Sport accredited in school sport, football & skiing.
Operations
Salote Waqanivalu
Originally from the Fiji Islands, a graduate in Environmental Health, worked for the Govt of Fiji for 14 years before consultancy work with the WHO. Enjoys working with communities & empowering young people. Served as Secretary General, Fiji Athletics, was part of the Oceania Sports Educators Program with the Oceania National Olympic Committee. Moved to Switzerland in 2015, President & Head Coach of Jura Girls Netball Club.
Treasurer
Jess Brown
Jess Brown moved to Switzerland in 2017 and is a member of Zürich Netball. It didn't take long for her to want to get even more involved in the club and she became the Club Treasurer and Chair of the AGM shortly after. Originally from the UK, Jess loves all things Netball and has always been part of a club wherever she has been based. She is passionate to help grow the sport in Switzerland, particularly focusing on development in the German region.
General Secretary
Debbie Brown
Debbie is a British and South African national who has lived in Switzerland, on both sides of the Röstigraben, since 2005. She was a founding member of GIN and Swiss Netball, playing over the years for GIN and Netball Zug. A Business Administration graduate from the University of Bath, Debbie now works as an independent consultant to large multinationals and start-ups across the country. She is a passionate advocate for women supporting women and enjoys helping others succeed.
Coaching
Claudia Almer
Claudia is Aussie & Swiss. Passionate about netball, Claudia has been playing and coaching in clubs and leagues in Australia. She was thrilled to find Zurich Netball Club in 2012, taking on the roles of President and Coach, sharing her love of netball with like-minded women. Claudia was Captain of the Swiss National Team from 2013. With a goal to further develop Netball in German-speaking Switzerland, and Netball Coaching across the country, Claudia is excited to be part of the committee.
National Squads Head Coach
Vanessa McErlain-Naylor
Vanessa has worked in performance Netball since 2005 with Yorkshire Jets and Loughborough Lightning. In the 2018/19 season, Vanessa set up Aspire Elite Netball, an independent performance programme. She volunteers for England Netball in many roles and is a regularly appointed tournament referee at national schools, clubs & paranetball events. Vanessa runs a Netball club with 16 teams playing at all levels from local district to northern league, from 6yrs to adult.
Avenir Suisse Head Coach & National Squads Assistant Coach
Moniek Van Rossum.
Moniek van Rossum is a Kiwi, now based in Switzerland. Moniek loves the colour orange which could be because of her Dutch heritage. Monieks` love and dedication to Netball took her all the way to playing in the UK Superleague. ¨Netball has been a big part of my life in New Zealand and I have always loved sharing my knowledge of netball with others. I think it is important to have a well-balanced life and I think netball is a big contributor to that balance.¨
Tutor, C Umpire Award Theory
Helen Ashton
Helen is from the UK and has lived in Switzerland for over 20 years. She teaches biology and sports, exercise and health science at the International School of Lausanne. She played netball at school and university as well as helping to start Lausanne Netball Club. Helen represented Switzerland in the first ever Swiss Netball Open Team in 2012. She now enjoys umpiring and tutoring the C award course.
National Squads Team Manager
Emma Connolly
Emma is British and Swiss and is a German patent translator, working for the WIPO in Geneva since 2001. Emma has a BA(Hons) degree in Sport and German and is very passionate about helping women & girls realise what they can achieve through sport with support, guidance & encouragement. Emma has been on the Swiss Netball Committee since day one, first as Treasurer, then Team Manager & current President of Swiss Netball. She is one of the founders of LCV Netball Club & Treasurer at GIN.
National Squad Assistant Coach & Squads Assistant Team Manager
Bronwyn McGinity
Bronwyn was born in New Zealand, moved to Switzerland in 2008 with her family. Growing up in a sporting mad nation – Bronwyn started playing netball at 7 years old and hasn’t stopped. She is a founding member of Aubonne Netball Club, coach, umpire, player & a school netball coach.
National Squads Assistant Coach
Volunteer Position
We are currently searching for an in-country Assistant Coach to join our Performance team.
For more information, job description or to apply please click here